Gaza Pier That U.S. Built to Deliver Aid Will Be Temporarily Removed for Repairs
TimeMay 21
US-Built Gaza Pier Breaks Apart Due to Bad Weather
Image copyright: US Central Command/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
A US military-built pier off the coast of northern Gaza broke apart on Tuesday due to harsh weather conditions. The Pentagon said that the pier will need "rebuilding and repairing," which will likely take more than a week. The pier cost around $320M.
Fighting continued in Rafah, with Gaza's health authorities saying on Tuesday that Israeli tank shells killed 21 people in a tent camp in al-Mawasi, which was designated as a civilian evacuation zone. Israel denied carrying out the attack.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Israel must be able to defend itself from terrorist attacks from Gaza or elsewhere, and the US is committed to preventing malicious actors from threatening Israel's legitimate concerns. However, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has gotten out of hand, and the Biden administration's red lines are clear. Netanyahu must keep his promises and work with US allies to find a resolution to this conflict.
Pro-Israel narrative
Facing pressure and criticism at home for supporting Israel, notably from its own political base, the Biden administration came up with this floating pier to show sympathy for Gaza civilians and try to deliver aid without helping terrorists. This operation was short-sighted, however, as it failed to address the root problem — Hamas' terrorist army, which must be completely defeated to ensure a lasting peace.
Pro-Palestine narrative
The Biden administration, increasingly anxious over the upcoming election, has resorted to cheap tactics to deny its support for Israel's brutal war on Gaza. Regardless of the spin, Biden has armed Israel, given it diplomatic cover, and refused to call for a permanent cease-fire — all of which incentivizes continued bloodshed. Palestinians are literally starving to death, and Biden would rather wax about unrealistic plans for new aid delivery mechanisms like building a port instead of taking concrete action to deter Israel's criminal behavior — which would be unsustainable without US support.