The project, which was expected to provide assistance to an estimated 1.5 million Palestinians over a three-month period, only managed to deliver provisions to around 450,000 individuals before being decommissioned.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued the report on Tuesday, highlighting the challenges faced by the project. According to the report, the pier's operations were hindered by rough weather and high seas, resulting in its limited functionality over a mere 20 days. Alongside the project's failure in meeting its targeted assistance, three service members were injured, one critically, during operations at the pier.

President Biden had announced the pier plan with great fanfare during his State of the Union address to Congress on March 7. The project was seen as a way to address concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza amidst calls from far-left Democrats to stop supporting Israel's war efforts against Hamas. Biden stated that the temporary pier would enable a significant increase in daily humanitarian aid shipments into Gaza.

However, behind the scenes, multiple USAID staff members expressed concerns about the focus on utilizing the pier as it detracted from the agency's advocacy for opening land crossings, which were seen as more efficient methods of transporting aid into Gaza. Despite these concerns, once the president's directive was issued, USAID's focus shifted towards using the pier as effectively as possible.

The report also revealed that there was minimal implementation planning prior to Biden's announcement, which led to State and Defense Department officials needing to quickly collaborate on the project. USAID submitted its formal request to the Pentagon for official assistance twenty days after Biden's announcement.

Even the United Nations' World Food Program (WFP) expressed reservations about Biden's plan, warning of potential safety and security risks that could compromise its operations. These concerns would later prove to be valid, with reports of looting after aid was collected from the beach and transported into Gaza, attacks on WFP warehouses, and incidents where drivers were detained or shot.

The report concluded that the operation "fell short" of its promises, attributing the shortcomings to issues related to operating in a conflict environment, compounded by weather, security, and humanitarian access challenges. The report emphasized the difficulties in distributing aid, citing rough seas and high winds, overcrowded roads, and limited safe land routes.

Meanwhile, an estimated 1.9 million displaced Palestinians in Gaza continue to face dire conditions, with severe food insecurity affecting approximately 96% of the population, putting them at a high risk of famine.

As the findings of the report shed light on the limitations and challenges faced by the pier project, it remains to be seen how the Biden administration will address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and reassess its approach to providing aid to the region.