Three U.S. service members sustained non-combat related injuries while working on the Gaza pier mission, the deputy commander of U.S. Central Command said.
One service member suffered critical injuries.
“The incident marks the first injuries for US forces during the operation,” the New York Post stated.
Three US troops injured while setting up Gaza aid pier, with one in critical condition — Reuters pic.twitter.com/z0KD2ARMZj
— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) May 23, 2024
“The troops were injured at sea, Vice Adm. Bradley Cooper said. One service member rolled their ankle, while another sustained a back injury, he said. A third service member was injured enough to require medical evacuation to an Israeli hospital, but Cooper declined to elaborate on the nature of that injury,” Military Times reports.
“From a privacy perspective, I would just leave it at we had two minor injuries and one, as I mentioned, was medivac,” Cooper told reporters.
Three injured in the Gaza pier operation. Fortunately not combat related, still never should have happened. Because we shouldn’t be there.https://t.co/dBhhCCFIpW https://t.co/6EfrPiVtEE pic.twitter.com/bi7U48YF7P
— Patrick Fox (@RealCynicalFox) May 23, 2024
Per Military Times:
He also said there have been no attacks on the pier mission, but that U.S. forces remain “clear-eyed” about threats to service member safety.
Cooper also declined to say which service branch the three injured troops came from.
The Gaza pier mission uses an obscure military capability called Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore, or JLOTS, that generally involves sailors and soldiers.
The plan, announced by President Biden in his State of the Union address, has been touted as another way to get food to Gazans caught between the Israeli military and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which attacked Israel on Oct. 7.
US service member critically injured, 2 other troops hurt at Gaza aid pier: report https://t.co/NAowTKE0cE pic.twitter.com/p8154aXLpH
— New York Post (@nypost) May 23, 2024
WATCH:
A floating pier built by the U.S. military is being moved into position off the Gaza coast to enhance humanitarian aid for millions of Palestinians. pic.twitter.com/4nY5s2OXfL
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) May 15, 2024
From the New York Post:
The controversial floating pier was announced by President Biden in March to facilitate humanitarian aid to millions in the Gaza strip during Israel’s ongoing military offensive in the enclave.
It’s estimated to cost about $320 million for its first 90 days after opening last Thursday and will be operated by about 1,000 US service members — who Biden assured would not enter Gaza itself.
The Pentagon has said it will prioritize the safety of US military personnel.
“We’re clear eyed and we continue to look at force protection all day, every day and as it stands now we assess the operations can continue,” Cooper said.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon said that 569 metric tons had been unloaded on the pier, but none of it had actually made it to Palestinians, who are in dire need of food, water and other vital supplies.
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