The U.S. military has suspended the delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip by sea after a temporary floating port off the coast of Gaza sustained damage due to severe weather conditions. An official from the United Nations, along with an American official and an Israeli official, informed NBC News that damage occurred to a bridge connected to the beach in Gaza. Aid is transported to the bridge via small boats after being initially unloaded at the floating dock. The UN official stated to NBC that repairs to the bridge could take about a week.
The Pentagon announced the removal of the dock from the Gaza beach for repairs, adding that it will be returned later. This damage marks the latest setback for the floating dock, which was first announced by President Joe Biden during the State of the Union address in March and began operations only two weeks ago, with its construction costs exceeding $300 million.
Central Command indicated that "over the weekend, four small U.S. military boats participating in aid transport broke from their moorings due to bad weather." They added, "Waves swept two of them to the southern coast of Israel near Ashdod, while the other two were carried to the beach in Gaza." An American defense official clarified that one U.S. service member was injured at the dock last week and remains in critical condition at an Israeli hospital, while two other service members sustained minor injuries.
An official announcement from the United States regarding the situation is expected on Tuesday, while U.S. Central Command declined to comment when contacted by the news network.
