Pentagon watchdog reveals 62 U.S. service members were injured in Biden’s Gaza pier project, contradicting the administration’s initial claim of only 3 casualties in a $230 million operation that lasted just 20 days.
Quick Takes
- The Pentagon inspector general reported 62 non-combat injuries and one death related to the Gaza pier project, far exceeding the Biden administration’s original count of 3 injuries.
- Despite costing $230 million and involving 1,000 U.S. service members, the pier operated for only 20 days before being dismantled due to rough weather conditions.
- USAID staff warned President Biden about severe weather challenges before construction, but the administration proceeded regardless.
- The project suffered from inadequate planning, insufficient training, and lack of interoperability between Army and Navy equipment, causing $31 million in damages.
- Though intended to feed 1.5 million Palestinians over three months, the pier only served about 450,000 before being decommissioned.
Discrepancy in Casualty Reporting Raises Serious Questions
The newly released Pentagon inspector general report has uncovered that more than 60 U.S. service members were injured while working on the controversial Gaza pier project initiated under the Biden administration. This figure starkly contrasts with previous official statements that acknowledged only three injuries, raising concerns about transparency in reporting casualties related to overseas humanitarian operations. The report also confirmed one service member’s death connected to the operation, though the circumstances were not fully detailed.
According to the inspector general’s findings, “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.” This ambiguity highlights potential deficiencies in tracking and documenting service member health during the operation, creating challenges for proper medical follow-up and accountability.
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
Costly Operation With Limited Results
The Gaza pier project, announced during President Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address, was presented as a critical humanitarian initiative to deliver aid to Palestinians affected by ongoing conflict. Despite its $230 million price tag and the deployment of approximately 1,000 U.S. service members, the pier operated for only 20 days before being dismantled. The abbreviated timeframe severely limited the operation’s effectiveness.
The pier was originally designed to feed 1.5 million Palestinians over a three-month period but ultimately served only about 450,000 before decommissioning. Furthermore, reports suggest that much of the aid that did arrive was intercepted before reaching the intended recipients, nullifying the humanitarian objectives that justified putting American service members at risk.
Ignored Warnings and Planning Failures
Perhaps most concerning is the revelation that USAID staff explicitly warned President Biden about severe weather challenges in the region before construction began. These warnings were apparently disregarded as the project moved forward regardless of the known risks. The decision to proceed despite these cautions ultimately contributed to the pier’s premature closure, as rough seas rendered operations unsafe and unsustainable.
The Pentagon watchdog report highlighted substantial planning failures across multiple dimensions of the operation, codenamed Neptune Solace. Military leadership “did not organize, train, and equip to a common joint standard,” according to the report. Army officials noted that “the lack of interoperability created challenges during (the Gaza operation), resulting in equipment damage and communications security risks.” The project ultimately caused $31 million in damages to military equipment, compounding the already substantial cost of the brief humanitarian effort.
Inadequate Preparation and Operational Readiness
The inspector general’s findings further reveal that military planners failed to adequately consider mission-specific requirements like beach conditions and sea states – fundamental factors for a maritime pier operation. Equipment mission-capable rates were reported as low, and there were significant gaps in maintenance, manning, and training levels. These operational deficiencies directly impacted both the safety of service members and the effectiveness of the humanitarian mission.
When contacted about the findings, the Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment on the report. The lack of public response raises additional questions about accountability for the operation’s shortcomings and what measures might be implemented to prevent similar oversights in future humanitarian deployments involving U.S. military personnel. As Americans reflect on this costly endeavor, the focus remains on ensuring proper care for the injured service members and establishing more effective oversight for such operations.
