In a significant development reported by Stars and Stripes, the U.S. military has successfully completed the construction of a temporary floating pier off the coast of Gaza, known as the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) operation. Despite the completion, the challenging weather conditions, including high winds and sea swells, have delayed the final placement of the pier for now. The Pentagon spokesperson, Sabrina Singh, confirmed that the pier sections are currently stationed at the Port of Ashod in Israel and are prepared for final positioning once conditions permit.
The JLOTS initiative is a strategic effort by the U.S. to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid directly to Gaza amidst ongoing hostilities in the region. The need for such a facility has become urgent as the World Health Organization has highlighted the extreme hunger threatening approximately 2.3 million residents of Gaza, potentially escalating to a famine.
The operation, initially announced by President Joe Biden in March, involves about 1,000 U.S. troops and has a budget of approximately $320 million. The construction faced various challenges, including a pause due to adverse sea conditions and a setback when the USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo, a participating Navy ship, suffered an engine room fire and had to return to the U.S.
The U.S. military plans to operate the pier with the help of the MV Sagamore, a cargo vessel currently in Cyprus, which will shuttle aid between Cyprus and Gaza. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other global partners will gather aid for transport via the new logistics system. The operational phase is expected to commence soon, aiming to provide a safer and more efficient means of delivering essential supplies to the conflict zone.
This endeavor has not been without controversy. Some U.S. lawmakers, like Senator Roger Wicker, have criticized the mission's risks, especially after a recent mortar attack near the planned pier location. Despite these concerns, the U.S. military assures that it will handle security for its forces offshore, with Israel managing onshore security.
This initiative represents a critical logistical undertaking by the U.S. military to address the dire humanitarian needs in Gaza while navigating the complex geopolitical and security challenges in the region. As the situation develops, the effectiveness of this new aid delivery route will likely have significant implications for both the immediate relief efforts and the broader political dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.