US humanitarian aid pier in Gaza expected to reopen after weather shutdown

The pier built on the Gaza coast by the United States for the delivery of humanitarian aid will be back in place and operational again this week, after experiencing a temporary shutdown due to weather.

It was removed to avoid potential damage from the high seas and towed to Ashdod, Israel, a coastal city that is closest to Gaza, according to the US Defence Department.

"We've said all along... that the pier is a temporary measure," Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Major General Pat Ryder said.

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"I don't have any dates to announce in terms of when it will cease operations... we're looking forward to getting it operational again soon and to delivering aid." 

Nevertheless, the pier has delivered a substantial amount of aid into Gaza, Maj Gen Ryder said. 

"The big picture, whether it be by land, sea or air, [we're] employing all avenues to get assistance into Gaza," he said.

"Since the pier was put in place about a month ago, we've been able to shuttle over 3,500 metric tonnes, or 7.7 million pounds of aid onto the shore in Gaza, via this temporary pier." 

Meanwhile, the US will continue to conduct aid air drops into Gaza, with the last drop on 9 June seeing a US C-130 deliver more than 10 metric tonnes of "meals ready to eat" into Northern Gaza.