The United States has successfully finished the offshore construction of the temporary humanitarian pier system, known as JLOTS, aimed at facilitating aid delivery to Gaza, as confirmed by the Defense Department.
During a recent briefing, it was announced that both components of the JLOTS - the floating pier and the Trident pier - have been fully constructed and are now awaiting final positioning offshore.
However, adverse weather conditions have hindered the movement of the pier into its designated location in Gaza. Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary mentioned that ongoing high winds and sea swells have created unsafe conditions for the transportation of the JLOTS components. Consequently, the pier sections and military vessels involved in the construction are currently stationed at the Port of Ashdod.
Despite the delay in positioning the pier, efforts are underway to ensure the timely delivery of aid to Gaza. The US is currently loading aid supplies onto the MV Sagamore, a cargo vessel stationed in Cyprus. The Sagamore will utilize the JLOTS system to transport aid between Cyprus and the offshore floating pier, facilitating the collection and distribution of aid from various international partners.
While the exact timeline for the pier's deployment remains subject to weather and security considerations, the Defense Department aims to have the system operational and in place later this week, enabling the efficient transfer of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
