US mulls dismantling Gaza 'Aid Pier' for second time in two weeks
The US-built port has delivered very little actual aid to starving Palestinians while the area next to it was used as part of the Israeli operation to massacre hundreds of Palestinians and rescue four captives | The US military is considering temporarily dismantling the pier it constructed off the coast of Gaza and moving it back to Israel amid concerns that rough seas could once again break it apart, CNN reported on 14 June. ● Earlier this month, the fragile pier and causeway system, known as Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS), broke apart due to heavy waves and had to be towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod to be repaired. It was moved back to Gaza last week, and operations resumed on Saturday. However, were paused again on Monday and Tuesday due to heavy seas. Poor weather and rough waters are again expected this weekend. ● Meanwhile, the World Food Programme’s (WFP) aid distribution operations at the pier have been suspended. WFP Director Cindy McCain announced on Sunday the organization was pausing its work there after the Israeli army used the area next to the pier to extract by helicopter four Israelis rescued from Hamas captivity in Gaza.