U.S. ‘Floating Pier’ for Gaza Damaged by Choppy Seas

Part of the support system for a floating pier built by the U.S. to boost humanitarian aid to Palestinians broke off Saturday morning in choppy waters off the Gaza coast, the U.S. military said.

Four boats stabilizing the $320 million structure detached, U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for military operations in the Middle East, said Saturday. Two of them floated northward, eventually landing on the beach in Ashdod, Israel, it said. Two others are now anchored on the beach near the pier, the military said, adding that the dock is still operational despite the damage. It said that no U.S. military personnel would enter Gaza.

“Efforts to recover the vessels are under way with assistance from the Israeli Navy,” U.S. Central Command said.