Three US servicemembers suffered non-combat-related injuries during the Gaza pier operation, a senior US general said Thursday, as criticism of the pier meant to help the flow of badly needed humanitarian aid into Gaza mounted.
United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Deputy Commander Vice Admiral Brad Cooper told reporters that the injuries were minor and two servicemembers returned to duty.
The third troop was medically evacuated to a local Israel hospital for further treatment. Cooper declined to elaborate further, but a US official later said that the servicemember was in critical condition.
As of Tuesday, 569 metric tons of aid had been delivered across the pier. However, none of the aid had reached Palestinians as the aid was sitting in assembly areas onshore. NGOs will be responsible for taking assistance from the coastline and delivering it to Palestinians in need.
Cooper said that 820 metric tons of humanitarian aid had reached Gaza via the pier, and 506 metric tons of that had finally been delivered to those in need inside the enclave.
