U.S. Announces Completion of Gaza Aid Pier

Latest Developments

The Pentagon announced on May 7 that the U.S. military had completed construction of the humanitarian aid pier off the coast of central Gaza. However, bad weather was still preventing it from going into service. “The U.S. military has completed the offshore construction of the Trident pier section, or ‘the causeway,’ which is the component that will eventually be anchored to the Gaza shore,” deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh said in a briefing. “As I mentioned last week, construction of the floating pier section has also been completed. So as of today, the construction of the two portions of the [pier] — the floating pier and the Trident pier — are complete and awaiting final movement offshore.”

Expert Analysis

“So far, so good, but the real challenges are ahead not behind. Let’s hope those congressional questions regarding security for the operation were satisfactorily answered.” — Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power

“The pier has been assembled, which was an engineering and logistics challenge for the U.S. Army and Navy. Now comes the operationally challenging part — anchoring the pier and defending it as it begins operations. This challenge falls to the IDF, which has already been attacked while working in this area. Good job getting to this point, but there are a number of additional hurdles to clear.” — RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, FDD Senior Fellow and Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology

Pier Should Be Operational by End of Week

The Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) system consists of two separate sections: a floating pier in the Mediterranean, several miles off the Gaza coast, which will receive aid offloaded from cargo ships. U.S. troops will transfer the aid onto trucks on smaller vessels operated by military personnel and transported to a causeway pier, called a Trident, anchored to the shore. The trucks, driven by World Food Programme workers, will then drive onto the pier and continue into Gaza to distribute the aid.

Singh said that “CENTCOM stands by to move the pier into position in the near future, adding that the Pentagon hopes to have the pier anchored by the end of the week. U.S. personnel and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) are currently loading the U.S.-flagged cargo ship MV Sagamore with aid in a port in Cyprus. On April 29, Singh told reporters that the pier would cost $320 million to build — significantly more than originally predicted, and could cost more if the operation lasts more than 90 days.

IDF to Provide Security For Pier

IDF troops will install the Trident when it comes ashore, as the United States has consistently stated that there will be no U.S. military personnel on the ground in Gaza. On April 25, the IDF approved a deal to provide security and logistic support for the JLOTS initiative when it becomes operational.

Earlier on April 25, Gazan terrorists attacked the construction site for the pier’s marshaling area, causing minimal damage. During the attack, IDF troops had to rush UN officials touring the site to shelter. When the pier becomes operational, U.S. troops operating the vessels transferring aid to the Trident will briefly be within range of terrorist fire when approaching the causeway.

Related Analysis

“Israel Readying for U.S. Military’s Floating Pier off Gaza Coast for Humanitarian Aid,” FDD Flash Brief

“Gaza-Based Terrorist Group Threatens British Forces if They Begin to Deliver Aid From Offshore Pier,” by Joe Truzman

“Terrorists Attack U.S. Pier Under Construction Off Gaza Coast,” FDD Flash Brief