IDF Pier in Gaza Attacked Twice by Hamas, Aid Delayed but Crossings Remain Open

According to OSINT sources, the provisional pier constructed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in the center of Gaza, intended to transport humanitarian aid from the U.S. Army’s Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) floating dock located off the coast of Gaza, has been attacked at least twice in the past 24 hours by rockets and mortars launched by Hamas. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as a result of these attacks; however, minor damage was inflicted upon the site. This development comes shortly after the IDF completed constructing the pier and its accompanying causeway in the Mediterranean Sea. However, the installation of the pier and causeway has been postponed owing to unfavorable weather conditions. In addition, humanitarian aid is currently being loaded onto a container ship in Cyprus before being delivered to Gaza, while the “Kerem Shalom” border crossing between southern Israel and Gaza has reopened following a brief closure triggered by a lethal Hamas attack. Nonetheless, the crossing has already sustained at least two rocket assaults perpetrated by Hamas since its recent reopening. Furthermore, unidentified individuals have targeted trucks transporting Palestinian laborers heading toward the Kerem Shalom crossing on May 8, resulting in injuries to some workers. The IDF emphasized that it continues to permit the ingress of aid into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing. Palestinian sources claim that the IDF was responsible for the attack, asserting that the workers played a role in facilitating the delivery of assistance into the territory.