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Israel-Gaza war
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US resumes crucial aid deliveries to Gaza from repaired pier

  • The pier was only operational for about a week before it was damaged due to high winds and heavy seas on May 25

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A US Army landing craft is seen beached in Ashdod, on May 26 after being swept by wind and current from the temporary humanitarian pier in the Gaza Strip. Photo: AP
Associated Press
Badly needed aid has been delivered into Gaza from a newly repaired American-built pier, a US official said, following problems that had plagued the effort to bring supplies to Palestinians by sea.

The pier constructed by the American military was only operational for about a week before it was blown apart in high winds and heavy seas on May 25. The damaged section was reconnected to the beach in Gaza on Friday after undergoing repairs at an Israeli port.

Crews delivered about 1.1 million pounds (492 metric tons) of humanitarian aid to Gaza via the pier on Saturday, the US official said. They spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of an official announcement of the delivery.

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It came the same day that Israel mounted a heavy air and ground assault that rescued four hostages, who had been taken by Hamas during the October 7 assault that launched the war in Gaza. At least 210 Palestinians, including children, were killed, a Gaza health official said.

It brings back online one way to get desperately needed food and other emergency supplies to Palestinians trapped by the eight-month-old Israel-Gaza war. Israeli restrictions on land crossings, and fighting, have greatly limited the flow of food and other vital supplies into the territory.

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The damage to the pier was the latest stumbling block for the project and the persistent struggle to get food to starving Palestinians. Three US service members were injured, one critically, and four vessels were beached due to heavy seas.

Trucks loaded with humanitarian aid from the UAE and the United States Agency for International Development cross the Trident Pier before arriving on the beach in the Gaza Strip on May 17. Photo: AP
Trucks loaded with humanitarian aid from the UAE and the United States Agency for International Development cross the Trident Pier before arriving on the beach in the Gaza Strip on May 17. Photo: AP
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