From the Liveblog of
Saturday, May 25, 2024
US Central Command: Four military vessels ran aground near Gaza aid pier
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Four US Army vessels supporting the temporary pier built to deliver aid to Gaza have run aground in heavy seas and Israel is aiding a recovery effort, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).
“The vessels broke free from their moorings and two vessels are now anchored on the beach near the pier. The third and fourth vessels are beached on the coast of Israel near Ashkelon,” the statement says.
“No US personnel will enter Gaza. No injuries have been reported and the pier remains fully functional,” it continues, adding that the Israeli Navy is assisting with recovering the vessels.
US President Joe Biden ordered the pier’s construction in March to alleviate restrictions on land deliveries of humanitarian aid amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, sparked by the terror group’s October 7 massacre.
The UN World Food Programme “took possession of 97 trucks since the floating dock came into operation” on May 17, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN chief Antonio Guterres, told reporters yesterday.
In the first few days of deliveries earlier this month, desperate Palestinians made off with the contents of some trucks heading to warehouses, but the situation has now stabilized, according to the UN spokesman.
The Times of Israel Community.