How Gaza pier project unravelled

A string of security, logistical and weather problems has battered President Joe Biden's plan to deliver humanitarian aid to the war-torn Gaza Strip through a U.S. military-built pier


Oct 9, 2023: Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announces "total blockade" of food, water, medicine, fuel and electricity to Gaza Strip during Israel-Hamas war

Nov 20: Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides says his country could ship large quantities of aid to Gaza if pier is built


FLOATING PIER AND CAUSEWAY

From Cyprus
Cargo ship
Landing craft utility vessel
Empty LCU vessel

FLOATING DECK: Anchored to sea floor, 5km offshore

Distance from dock to pier: Around 3km

Construction: Dock and pier built with modular units 2.5m wide and 6m or 12m long

Mediterranean Sea
550m


Causeway anchored to shoreline by Israeli military 

GAZA


Mar 7, 2024: President Biden announces plan for U.S. military to build pier

Mar 9-12: Support ship General Frank S. Besson and four other vessels, loaded with steel pier segments, depart U.S. in month long voyage to Gaza Strip

Apr 19: UN World Food Programme agrees to help deliver aid to Gaza once pier is built

Apr 25: Construction of port facility near Gaza City begins

May 9: U.S. vessel Sagamore is first ship loaded with aid to leave Cyprus for pier

May 17: First trucks carrying aid to Gaza Strip roll down newly built pier

May 28: U.S. suspends aid delivery after pier is damaged by rough seas

Jun 7: Pier repaired

Jun 21: Pier is damaged by rough seas for second time

Jul 17: Pier mission formally ends after delivering 8,800 tonnes of aid


CYPRUS
Larnaca
Maritime corridor
GAZA STRIP
100km 60 miles


New aid port
Gaza City
GAZA STRIP 
ISRAEL 
Khan Younis
Rafah
5km 3 miles

Floating pier needed as Gaza has no sizeable port or any natural promontory


Sources: U.S. Department of Defense, Military Times, Reuters, BBC
© GRAPHIC NEWS