The U.S. military-built humanitarian pier in Gaza will be dismantled and shipped back to home just weeks after U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) called it a “failed” mission.
Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander at U.S. Central Command, announced the decision Wednesday, arguing that there was no further need for the pier.
“Having now delivered the largest volume of humanitarian assistance ever into the Middle East, we’re now mission complete and transitioning to a new phase,” said Cooper. “In the coming weeks, we expect that millions of pounds of aid will enter into Gaza via this new pathway.”
The mission was criticized by Republican leaders for being ineffective, wasting taxpayer dollars, and putting American troops in harms way.
RELATED: Mike Rogers demands Biden Administration halt ‘failed’ Gaza Pier operation
“This pier was a poorly planned political calculation by the Biden admin that needlessly put servicemembers in harm’s way & wasted taxpayer dollars,” said the Armed Services GOP X page.
This pier was a poorly planned political calculation by the Biden admin that needlessly put servicemembers in harm’s way & wasted taxpayer dollars.
CHM Rogers called for the pier to be permanently dismantled last month. Far too many mishaps occurred before this decision was made https://t.co/vNsnZU8uSz
— Armed Services GOP (@HASCRepublicans) July 17, 2024
Rogers, who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, wrote to national security leaders in June, asking them to abandon the effort.
“Three and a half months since the President’s announcement of a maritime corridor for Gaza and at least $230 million wasted, the operation has been riddled with setbacks, sidelined more often than operational, and can only be classified as a gross waste of taxpayer dollars,” wrote Rogers. “I urge the Administration to immediately cease this failed operation before further catastrophe occurs and consider alternative means of land and air-based humanitarian aid delivery.”
This pier was a fool’s errand to begin with. Hardly any humanitarian aid has even been delivered through it. It is a gross waste of taxpayer dollars and should be shut down immediately. https://t.co/lt9fYh2oRH
— Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) June 27, 2024
Despite the criticism, the U.S. military lauded the fact that it got close to 20 million pounds of needed supplies to the Palestinians.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Tuesday that a new pier will soon be established to replace the one built by the U.S. It will be located at Israel’s Ashdod port for delivering aid to the Gaza Strip.
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee
