US MILITARY ENDS GAZA AID PIER MISSION

WASHINGTON, July 18 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The United States (US) military announced the conclusion of a floating pier project on Wednesday, which was set up to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip.

"The maritime surge mission involving the pier is complete. Thus, there is no longer a need to use the pier," said Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, Deputy Commander of Central Command Navy, during an online briefing, reported Anadolu Agency (AA).

He mentioned that the maritime mission will transition from a temporary pier in Gaza to a port in Ashdod, Israel.

"In the past few weeks, we've begun utilising this new hybrid pathway from the sea and land to deliver aid from Cyprus to the port of Ashdod, Israel, and then into North Gaza via the UN and WFP (World Food Programme)," he added.

The US$230 million pier, intended to facilitate the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to Gaza, has experienced several operational pauses.

US President Joe Biden ordered the establishment of the sea route to deliver food and aid to Palestinians on March 8, in response to Israeli restrictions and months of conflict in the enclave.

Biden expressed his disappointment at a NATO summit two weeks ago, stating that he was "disappointed" by the project's initial failures but remained "hopeful for more success."

The pier at the Ashdod port hasbeen operational for approximately 20 days since its installation in May, despite facing challenges such as bad weather and mechanical malfunctions.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU