In a dramatic turn of events, four US Army vessels supporting a humanitarian mission in Gaza became unmoored due to rough seas. The situation resulted in two of the vessels anchoring on a Gaza beach near the floating pier, while the other two beached further north on the coast of Israel near Ashkelon. Israeli forces are assisting with recovery efforts near the pier, and no US personnel will enter Gaza. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in this incident. A tugboat and a landing craft mechanized (LCM) washed ashore in Israel during this ordeal. This comes after a temporary US-built floating pier was established off the coast of Gaza to facilitate aid deliveries to the starving Palestinian population as Israel's war against Hamas continues. The conditions in Gaza have worsened with a vital border crossing closing, leaving the entire population facing acute food insecurity. The US is working alongside Israel and the UN to establish safe delivery routes inside Gaza for humanitarian aid. As of Tuesday, no aid had been delivered to people in Gaza and was being held in warehouses for distribution. The Pentagon has assured that they are committed to delivering the 569 tons of aid transported to Gaza since last week. Despite these efforts, President Joe Biden's order to establish temporary piers in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Gaza for humanitarian aid delivery has faced criticism. The cost for this project is over $300 million, with some reports suggesting it could be as high as $320 million - double initial estimates. Hamas controls warehouses where aid is stored and uses it as a lever against the Palestinian people. In light of these developments, it's crucial to remain vigilant about the complexities of this humanitarian crisis and question whether the current efforts are truly effective in providing relief to those in need while not further exacerbating the situation on the ground. It is also important to consider potential ulterior motives behind these actions.
