Pentagon report reveals Biden’s Gaza pier project injured 62 U.S. service members, resulted in one death, and cost $31 million in military equipment damages despite officials initially reporting only 3 injuries.
Key Takeaways
- A Pentagon watchdog report disclosed 62 service members were injured and one died during the Biden administration’s $230 million Gaza pier project, contradicting earlier claims.
- The humanitarian pier operated for only 20 days before being dismantled due to rough weather, despite prior warnings from USAID staff about severe weather challenges.
- The project failed to meet its goal of feeding 1.5 million Palestinians over three months, reaching only about 450,000 before decommissioning.
- The Pentagon inspector general criticized both Army and Navy for inadequate planning, training, and coordination, resulting in equipment damage and communication security risks.
- Despite involving 1,000 U.S. service members and costing $230 million, reports indicate aid delivered through the pier never reached intended Gaza civilians.
Watchdog Report Exposes Full Extent of Gaza Pier Failures
A newly released Pentagon inspector general report has revealed that 62 U.S. service members were injured while working on former President Joe Biden’s Gaza pier project, dramatically higher than the three injuries previously disclosed by administration officials. The report also confirmed one service member died during the operation and documented $31 million in damages to military equipment. The failed humanitarian mission, dubbed Operation Neptune Solace, was announced during Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address as a solution for delivering aid to Gaza during the ongoing conflict.
The temporary floating pier cost American taxpayers $230 million but remained operational for just 20 days. It was dismantled after rough seas and weather conditions made operations unsafe, despite warnings from USAID staff before construction began about severe weather challenges the project would face in the region. The pier, which was designed to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, fell significantly short of its intended goal to feed 1.5 million Palestinians over three months, serving only about 450,000 before being decommissioned.
Biden spent over $230 million to build a pier near Gaza which lasted about 20 days.
A new report shows 62 US troops were injured during the mission.
One service members was medically evacuated in critical condition and died 5 months later.
The pier also caused $31 million in… pic.twitter.com/4vGUXogRPR
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 8, 2025
Military Preparedness and Planning Issues Highlighted
The Pentagon watchdog report delivered a scathing assessment of the military’s preparation and execution of the Gaza pier mission. According to the report, both the Army and Navy failed to meet equipment standards and did not properly organize, train, or equip their forces to meet common joint standards for the project. This lack of coordination between military branches created significant operational challenges during the deployment.
The inspector general identified numerous planning failures, including not considering mission-specific requirements such as beach conditions and sea states. Army officials acknowledged that “the lack of interoperability created challenges during (the Gaza operation), resulting in equipment damage and communications security risks.” These issues collectively contributed to the operation’s shortened timeframe and reduced effectiveness.
Humanitarian Mission’s Effectiveness Questioned
Despite involving approximately 1,000 U.S. service members and the substantial $230 million price tag, serious doubts remain about whether the humanitarian mission accomplished its stated goals. Reports indicate that aid delivered through the pier never actually reached Gazan civilians as intended. According to multiple sources, the humanitarian supplies were reportedly intercepted by others before reaching the intended recipients in Gaza.
The inspector general noted ambiguity surrounding the service member injuries, stating, “Based on the information provided, officials could not determine which of these 62 injuries occurred during the performance of duties or resulted off duty or from pre-existing medical conditions.” The Pentagon has not responded to requests for comment on the report’s findings. The project’s termination after just 20 days of operation has raised significant questions about the decision-making process that led to its approval despite advance warnings about potential difficulties.
