In a newly released government watchdog report, it has been revealed that President Joe Biden authorized the troubled Gaza pier operation despite warnings of potential weather challenges and security problems in an active war zone. However, the operation, aimed at delivering essential humanitarian aid, faced numerous setbacks, operating for only 20 days over a two-month period and falling significantly short of its intended goals.

The report, conducted by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) inspector general, highlighted concerns from USAID officials who believed that focusing on the pier operation could potentially divert attention from the more efficient and established method of reopening land crossings into Gaza. These crossings have been instrumental in facilitating the movement of large quantities of humanitarian supplies.

With an initial budget of $230 million, the Gaza pier operated for a mere 20 days, delivering a fraction of its intended aid. Instead of providing enough food to sustain 500,000 Palestinians over a period of three months, the pier only managed to deliver aid for a single month, catering to approximately 450,000 individuals.

In its limited operational time, the pier facilitated the delivery of 19.4 million pounds of aid to Gaza, as disclosed by Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the deputy commander of US Central Command. Unfortunately, the pier fell significantly short of expectations, prompting President Biden to express his disappointment during a press conference in July, stating that he had hoped for a more successful outcome.

Operational challenges mainly stemmed from adverse weather conditions and recurring security issues. The pier operated for just one week before heavy seas caused it to break apart, an event that would happen multiple times throughout its operation. The Defense Department had initially planned for the pier to be usable for a three-month period, but rough seas and high winds began earlier than anticipated, curtailing its effectiveness.

The report highlighted the fact that the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) pier, known as JLOTS, could only function optimally under "short and moderate waves," while the Mediterranean Sea often experiences significant wind and waves. Weather concerns had already been raised by a DOD expert on JLOTS during the planning kick-off meeting.

Additionally, the Gaza war marked the first time the temporary pier was utilized by the Pentagon in an active war zone with significant security challenges, as mentioned in the report. The operation further faced difficulties due to the frequent closure of land crossings into Gaza, which complicated the broader effort to deliver aid.

The administration, however, defended the Gaza pier as a viable means of delivering much-needed humanitarian assistance. The temporary pier was part of a comprehensive response that included aid delivery through land crossings and air drops. Sean Savett, a spokesman for the National Security Council (NSC), emphasized the pier's positive impact, stating that it delivered nearly 20 million pounds of food and water to those in desperate need.

Despite operational challenges, such as congested roads and ever-changing land routes, the US military maintained regular communication with the Israeli military and the World Food Programme (WFP), which was responsible for distributing the aid in Gaza. However, instances of looting aid convoys, attacks on WFP warehouses, and drivers being detained or shot were cited by WFP and USAID staff.

The Defense Department dedicated over 1,000 US soldiers and sailors to the operation, along with several ships. Sadly, three service members were injured during the pier mission. While two received minor injuries and returned to duty the same day, the third service member was in critical condition and was subsequently transferred back to the US for treatment.

The Gaza pier operation became a subject of criticism from Republican members of Congress, who raised concerns about its frequent pauses and setbacks. GOP Rep. Mike Rogers, the chair of the House Armed Services Committee, called the operation a "gross waste of taxpayer dollars" in a letter addressed to senior Biden administration officials.

Despite the challenges faced by the Gaza pier operation, it represented a significant effort by the Biden administration to address the dire humanitarian situation in northern Gaza. The report sheds light on the complex nature of aid delivery in an active war zone, highlighting the need for strategic planning and adaptability in such challenging environments.