US military positions pier for Gaza maritime port to accelerate humanitarian aid

FILE PHOTO: US Navy personnel construct a JLOTS, which stands for "Joint Logistics Over-the Shore" temporary pier which will provide a ship-to-shore distribution system to help deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza, in an undated handout picture in the Mediterranean Sea. US Central Command/Handout via REUTERS//File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters): The US military has started moving a pier towards the Gaza coast, a U.S. official said on Wednesday, one of the last steps before the launch of a maritime port promised by President Joe Biden to speed the flow of humanitarian aid to Palestinians.

The US military opted to pre-assemble the maritime pier at the Israeli port of Ashdod earlier this month due to weather conditions at the Gaza site where it will now be installed.