US-made floating dock sets sail from Ashdod port to Gaza, confirms defense source
A floating dock, designed to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea, is en route from Ashdod port to Gaza, as verified by a defense official from the US.
The floating pier, which will facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza from the sea, is currently being transported from the port of Ashdod towards Gaza. According to a US defense official, military ships tasked with constructing and securing the pier to the beach are also en route to Gaza.
Security concerns and sea conditions caused a delay in moving the pier, but Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder announced on Tuesday that the pier should be up and running "in the coming days." The port of Ashdod, located about 30 miles from the distribution site in Gaza, will be where goods are offloaded from the causeway. This means that the system components should be in position soon.
The Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) system is made up of two parts: a floating pier for offloading shipments and a causeway to transport the shipments to the distribution point in Gaza.
On Wednesday, the UK shared that they are sending humanitarian aid to Gaza from Cyprus. The aid includes 8,400 temporary shelters. Cyprus serves as the starting point for the aid, which will be sent to Gaza using the maritime corridor and pier.
The UK mentioned that the aid will be given out in Gaza as soon as possible.
In this image provided by the U.S. Army, soldiers and sailors work together to set up the Roll-On, Roll-Off Distribution Facility (RRDF), also known as a floating pier, off the coast of Gaza in the Mediterranean Sea on April 26, 2024. The pier is a crucial part of the Army's Joint Logistics Over The Shore (JLOTS) system, offering important bridging and water access capabilities. (U.S. Army via AP)
In this image provided by the U.S. Army, soldiers assigned to the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) and sailors attached to the MV Roy P. Benavidez assemble the Roll-On, Roll-Off Distribution Facility (RRDF), or floating pier, off the shore of Gaza in the Mediterranean Sea on April 26, 2024. The pier is part of the Army's Joint Logistics Over The Shore (JLOTS) system which provides critical bridging and water access capabilities. (U.S. Army via AP)
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US is currently encountering challenges in delivering aid to Gaza despite completing the construction of a pier. The Pentagon has mentioned that US humanitarian aid is waiting on a ship at the Ashdod port to be unloaded once the pier is operational.
The temporary pier is set up to help increase the amount of aid entering Gaza through land crossings. The UK aims to start by allowing 90 truckloads of aid per day through the pier, with a possibility of increasing to 150 truckloads daily once it is fully operational.
According to a recent report by CNN, the US still has some challenges to address before JLOTS can start operating. The US is monitoring the impact of a "limited" Israeli incursion into Rafah in southern Gaza on the temporary pier. Additionally, plans on how to transport humanitarian aid shipments from the causeway to the distribution point in Gaza have not been finalized yet.
On Monday, the Pentagon announced that they had hired drivers for the pier. However, they chose not to reveal the identities of these drivers.
During a press briefing, deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh mentioned, "I can only say that they are third-party contractors, and that's all." The humanitarian aid bound for Gaza will be delivered by these drivers, and once it arrives, the UN World Food Program will be responsible for distributing it to the Palestinian people.
On Tuesday, Ryder said security was in place to allow JLOTS operations to begin when the pier was ready.
“We’re confident that we’ll have the security in place that we need,” Ryder said.
JLOTS will cost approximately $320 million to operate for the first three months, according to the Pentagon.
Editor's P/S:
The construction and deployment of the floating pier in Gaza is a crucial step towards alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the region. The pier, as part of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) system, will facilitate the seamless entry of humanitarian aid from the sea, significantly increasing the capacity for aid delivery. The UK's contribution of temporary shelters and the US's commitment to delivering humanitarian aid through the maritime corridor are commendable efforts that will provide much-needed assistance to the people of Gaza.
However, there are still challenges to be addressed before JLOTS can begin operating fully. Security concerns, the impact of Israeli incursions, and the lack of a finalized plan for transporting aid from the causeway to the distribution point highlight the complexities of delivering aid in conflict zones. The Pentagon's assurance of security measures is reassuring, but it remains crucial to ensure the safety of aid workers and the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in dire need. The cooperation and coordination of all parties involved are essential to overcoming these challenges and ensuring that the people of Gaza receive the support they desperately require.
