A recent Pentagon watchdog report, released on Tuesday, details that a **floating pier project** in Gaza, initiated by President Joe Biden, resulted in injuries to a U.S. service member and 62 others. The project, which aimed to facilitate humanitarian aid amidst ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas, incurred **approximately $31 million** in damages. Announced during Biden’s address regarding coalition efforts in 2024, it ultimately was deemed unsuccessful, costing around **$230 million** and operational for just **20 days**.
Initially, the Pentagon reported no fatalities, noting that three U.S. troops sustained non-combat wounds. However, tragedy struck when **23-year-old Army Sgt. Davon Stanley** succumbed to injuries on October 31 while stationed on a naval vessel connected to the pier efforts.
A **Department of Defense Agency report** highlighted early discrepancies regarding the project, citing issues with equipment readiness and personnel training within both the Army and Navy. They apparently fell short in planning and preparation for a joint operation.
According to the report, “The Army and Navy did not allocate sufficient maintenance or manning.” It went on to indicate a lack of organization and standardization in training.
Additionally, the operational leader commented on the failure to properly account for mission-specific information, like beach conditions and average sea states, which are crucial for success.
This mishap reportedly resulted in significant damage to more than two dozen vessels, adding to the $31 million repair costs. Despite these challenges, Central Command disclosed that around **£20 million** worth of food and supplies was delivered—far less than the international aid agencies deemed necessary to mitigate widespread hunger in Gaza.
