Sixty-two service members injured in Biden's Gaza pier project

In 2024, the United States embarked on a military mission to build a floating pier off the coast of Gaza aimed at delivering humanitarian aid. This project was initiated by President Joe Biden during his State of the Union address, with the intent to support the Palestinian population amidst ongoing blockades by Israel. The pier was constructed at a cost of approximately $230 million. However, the project faced severe operational challenges from the outset, including rough weather conditions which hampered the delivery of aid. Ultimately, the pier was operational for only 20 days before it was dismantled, despite initial forecasts suggesting it would provide essential support to 1.5 million people over three months. Instead, reports indicate that it only managed to deliver aid sufficient for 450,000 people for one month, which led to accusations from congressional leaders that the initiative was a political stunt undertaken by Biden in response to growing pressure for increased support in Gaza. Moreover, a Pentagon report disclosed that 62 service members suffered non-combat injuries while engaged in this mission, which contradicted previous claims by the Biden administration that only three individuals were injured. The Department of Defense's inspector general criticized the military's planning and execution, highlighting inadequate training and failure to meet operational standards required for the project, which resulted in significant damage to equipment valued at $3 million. The lack of proper organization and equipment contributed to the overall ineffectiveness of the mission, indicating serious flaws in the approach taken by the Biden administration to address humanitarian needs in Gaza. UNICEF has commented on the ongoing humanitarian crisis, stating that for a significant portion of the population, especially children, aid remains critical for survival amidst the conflicts and difficulties in access.