The U.S.-Built Gaza Coast Pier Has Not Fully Collapsed

Misbar investigated the claim and found it to be fake.

The U.S.-built temporary pier that is allocated for humanitarian aid for Gaza has not collapsed entirely.

The U.S.-Built Pier Off the Gaza Coast Was Removed for Reparations

Contrary to the social media users' claim, the U.S.-built temporary pier was removed from Gaza's coast for repairs after being damaged by rough seas and severe weather.

The AP, citing Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh, reported on May 29 that the pier will be removed from the beach and transported to Ashdod in southern Israel, where U.S. Central Command will repair it. Singh mentioned that the repairs would take "at least over a week," after which the pier would need to be re-anchored on Gaza's beach.

“From when it was operational, it was working, and we just had sort of an unfortunate confluence of weather storms that made it inoperable for a bit,” Singh said; “Hopefully just a little over a week, we should be back up and running.”

ABC News reported that less than two weeks after its installation off the Gaza coast, the U.S.-built pier delivering aid to Palestinians on the brink of famine had broken apart.

The report stated that the floating pier had been pulled from the Gaza beach and transported to Ashdod in southern Israel for repairs.

Christiaan Triebert, a visual investigative journalist for the New York Times, uploaded these three satellite images from Maxar, showing the temporary Trident pier anchored to the Gaza coastline over the past few days. The images are from May 26, before the storm; May 28, right after the pier was detached; and May 29, depicting its current status.

The U.S. Constructs Gaza Shore Pier for Aid Delivery

In early March, President Biden announced an initiative to address the dire situation in Gaza, where 2.3 million inhabitants face the risk of widespread famine. 

Biden outlined plans to establish a temporary dock on the Gaza shoreline to deliver essential supplies such as food, water, medicine, and temporary shelters. He assured that no U.S. troops would be deployed on the ground for this mission, highlighting the intention to significantly increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, he also urged Israel to fulfill its responsibilities in addressing the humanitarian crisis.

The two main crossings in southern Gaza, Rafah from Egypt and Kerem Shalom from Israel, are either not operating or largely inaccessible to the U.N. due to nearby fighting as Israel advances into Rafah. Consequently, the pier and two crossings from Israel in northern Gaza have been the primary entry points for humanitarian aid over the past three weeks.

However, the project is facing criticism for not living up to its initial billing or its $320 million ($490 million) price tag.

Over One Million Flee Rafah as Israel's Attacks Continue

At least 36,439 Palestinians have been killed and 82,627 wounded in Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza since October 7.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that almost no health services remain in Rafah after the city’s last partially functioning hospital, Al-Helal al-Emirati, shut down amid the ongoing hostilities.

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