US military: Gaza aid pier was not used in IDF hostage rescue operation

The United States Central Command says that its humanitarian aid pier in Gaza was not used in the Israeli operation that successfully rescued four hostages yesterday morning.

“The humanitarian pier facility, including its equipment, personnel, and assets were not used in the operation to rescue hostages today in Gaza. An area south of the facility was used by the Israelis to safely return the hostages to Israel,” CENTCOM says in a statement on X.

“Any such claim to the contrary is false. The temporary pier on the coast of Gaza was put in place for one purpose only, to help move additional, urgently needed lifesaving assistance into Gaza.”

The statement comes as the US resumed aid deliveries via the temporary pier yesterday, after the structure suffered storm damage and underwent repairs in a nearby port.

“Today at approximately 10:30 am (Gaza time) US Central Command (USCENTCOM) began delivery of humanitarian assistance ashore in Gaza. Today, a total of approximately 492 metric tons (~1.1 million pounds) of much needed humanitarian assistance was delivered to the people of Gaza,” CENTCOM writes in a separate post on X.

The pier was repaired in the Israeli port of Ashdod before being brought back to the Gaza coast and reestablished on Friday.

Humanitarian Aid Flow Resumes in Gaza

Today at approximately 10:30 a.m. (Gaza time) U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) began delivery of humanitarian assistance ashore in Gaza. Today, a total of approximately 492 metric tons (~1.1 million pounds) of much needed humanitarian… pic.twitter.com/NBOzeoAEzL

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 8, 2024