Roughly seven months after initiating a mission to bring humanitarian aid into war-torn Gaza, three US Army boats deployed for the mission are expected to be transported back to the US behind schedule by contracted civilian vessels. The delay raises concerns about the state of the Army watercraft involved in the operation, with an expected arrival date in late October. The Pentagon had initially planned for all personnel and equipment to be home by mid-September, but logistical challenges have extended the timeline.
The cost of the contract to bring the vessels back is currently in the procurement phase, with estimates suggesting it could amount to $300,000 per float-on/float-off vessel. The temporary pier initiative announced by President Joe Biden in March aimed to significantly increase the amount of humanitarian assistance reaching Gaza. However, the pier was operational for only about 20 days and did little to improve the situation in Gaza amid ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.
Following the end of the pier mission, humanitarian aid is now expected to be delivered from Cyprus through Israel’s Ashdod port to Gaza. Approximately six million pounds of aid remain in Cyprus awaiting delivery. Concerns about the maintenance of the Army’s vessels have surfaced, with speculation that the need for contracted transport indicates significant maintenance requirements. The boats are currently near Greece, and the contract specifies a deadline for their transport to Norfolk, Virginia, by November 5.
The Army’s vessels had previously faced maintenance issues during the mission, with concerns about funding shortages for repair parts impacting their operational readiness. The mission has drawn scrutiny from Pentagon and USAID inspectors general, who have launched coordinated reviews to assess the effectiveness of the humanitarian mission. Issues with maintenance have also impacted the schedule of other Army vessels, with one requiring additional maintenance before it can return to the US.
The mission to Gaza was plagued by logistical problems, with the pier breaking apart after only a week of operations in May. Subsequent concerns over weather conditions led to multiple detachments from the beach, ultimately resulting in the mission’s termination in July. Since then, soldiers and sailors involved in the mission have returned to Virginia, with plans in place to transport the remaining Army boats back to the US. Despite setbacks, efforts are underway to address maintenance issues and ensure the safe return of the Army vessels.
