Temporary Gaza pier to boost aid deliveries will cost US at least $320 million

The military of the United States has been constructing a temporary pier to boost aid deliveries to Gaza. The Pentagon saidon Monday (Apr 29)that cost of the construction will cost Washington at least $320 million.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told journalists, "That's about our rough estimate right now, approximately $320 million." Singh added, "That's an initial cost for the temporary pier."

Add WION as a Preferred Source

On Thursday, the Pentagon announced that construction of the pier had begun, saying it should be operational in early May and willhumanitarianaid to Gaza.

Once the pieris constructed,aid will be transportedvia commercial vessels to a floating platform miles off the Gaza coast. After that,it will be transferredto smallervessels, brought to the pier and taken to land by truck for distribution.

Firstly, US President Joe Biden announced the plans for the pier in early March as Israel held up deliveries of assistance by ground.

Meanwhile, the USCentral Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into NorthernGazaonSunday to provide relief to civilians inGazaaffected by the ongoing conflict, CENTCOM said.

The US C-130's dropped over 25,000 Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) of humanitarian assistance in NorthernGaza, CENTCOM said, further adding thatmore than 13,080 meal equivalents of Jordanian food supplies were also delivered.

Watch:Blinken 'hopeful' Hamas will accept Israel's new ceasefire deal

Humanitarian situation in Gaza

The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsenwitha senior US administration official saying last week that the territory's entire population of 2.2 million people is facing food insecurity.

The Israel-Hamas war started after the militant group'sOctober 7attack on southern Israelresultingin the deaths of about 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 34,488people in Gaza,mostlywomen and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)