WASHINGTON — The US military halted its construction of a temporary humanitarian aid pier off the coast of Gaza on Thursday, citing inclement weather, in the latest setback for the Biden administration’s plan to alleviate famine in the Palestinian enclave.
US Army vessels off Gaza’s coast had nearly completed the two-part dock system, consisting of a floating pier and a causeway, with plans to anchor the causeway into the shore by next week.
But construction was halted, and the military withdrew the pier components northward to the Israeli port of Ashdod on Thursday. US Central Command (CENTCOM) blamed heavy seas for the decision.
“Forecasted high winds and high sea swells caused unsafe conditions for soldiers working on the surface of the partially constructed pier,” CENTCOM said in a statement released Friday.
