US says Gaza pier being repaired as aid groups urge more consistent routes

Humanitarian groups say US-built pier having ‘little impact’ and warn ability to deliver aid to Gaza nearing collapse.

The US Department of Defense has said a recently installed pier to bring aid deliveries into the Gaza Strip will be temporarily removed for repairs, after a section of the span was damaged in bad weather.

Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said on Tuesday afternoon that deliveries of humanitarian aid to the coastal Palestinian enclave by sea would be suspended as repairs are carried out to the so-called “Trident” pier.

A section of the US-installed pier came away earlier in the day as a result of high seas and a North African weather system, Singh said.

“The rebuilding and repairing of the pier will take at least over a week, and, following completion, will need to be re-anchored to the coast of Gaza,” she told reporters during a news briefing.

“Thus, upon completion of the pier repair and reassembly, the intention is to re-anchor the temporary pier to the coast of Gaza and resume humanitarian aid to the people who need it most.”