Pentagon officials reveal the true cost of Biden’s Gaza pier project: 62 U.S. service members injured, one dead, and $31 million in equipment damage—all while the administration initially claimed only 3 injuries.
Top Takeaways
- More than 60 U.S. service members were injured during the Gaza pier project, far exceeding the Biden administration’s initial claim of only 3 injuries
- The $230 million humanitarian aid pier operated for just 20 days before being dismantled, with much of the aid failing to reach Gazan civilians
- USAID staff warned President Biden about severe weather risks before construction, but these warnings were disregarded
- A Pentagon watchdog report criticized the Army and Navy for inadequate planning, training, and coordination for the mission
- The failed operation resulted in one service member death and $31 million in damage to military equipment
Biden Administration Concealed Extent of Injuries
A Pentagon Inspector General report released Tuesday reveals that more than 60 U.S. service members suffered injuries while working on the Gaza humanitarian pier project—dramatically higher than what Biden administration officials had previously disclosed. The report detailed 62 non-combat injuries related to the operation, creating serious questions about transparency from military leadership and the White House regarding the safety of deployed personnel.
The report stated that officials could not determine which of these injuries occurred during official duties versus off-duty activities or from pre-existing conditions. This lack of clarity raises further concerns about proper medical monitoring and documentation throughout the mission. The Pentagon has not responded to requests for comment on these findings.
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
$230 Million Spent for 20 Days of Operation
Originally announced during Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address, the Gaza pier project cost American taxpayers approximately $230 million but operated for only 20 days before being decommissioned. The ambitious humanitarian mission, dubbed Operation Neptune Solace, was intended to deliver crucial aid to Palestinians in Gaza amid ongoing conflict in the region. Instead, it became what critics call a costly failure.
The pier was initially projected to feed 1.5 million Palestinians over a three-month period, but only served approximately 450,000 people during its brief operational window. Reports indicate that much of the aid never reached Gazan civilians, with supplies allegedly being intercepted before reaching intended recipients. The rough seas that eventually led to the pier’s closure were precisely the adverse weather conditions USAID staff had warned about prior to construction.
Systemic Planning and Coordination Failures
The Pentagon inspector general’s report highlighted substantial shortcomings in planning and execution. About 1,000 U.S. service members were involved in the operation, but the military branches failed to coordinate effectively. The report specifically criticized the lack of interoperability between Army and Navy equipment, which resulted in significant equipment damage and communication security risks.
Army officials noted that “the lack of interoperability created challenges during (the Gaza operation), resulting in equipment damage and communications security risks.” The report also indicated that crucial mission-specific requirements like beach conditions and sea states weren’t properly factored into planning stages, despite warnings from aid professionals who understood the region’s challenging maritime environment.
Warnings Ignored and Costly Consequences
A previous USAID report from August 2024 revealed that federal aid workers had specifically warned President Biden about the potential dangers and difficulties of the pier operation. These warnings were disregarded, resulting in a mission that cost one service member’s life and caused $31 million in damage to military equipment. The Pentagon inspector general noted that equipment mission-capable rates were unacceptably low from the start.
The total cost to American taxpayers remains a point of contention, with the $230 million price tag covering construction and operational expenses, but additional costs from the 62 service member injuries, equipment damage, and rehabilitation have yet to be fully calculated. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the human cost when military operations are launched without adequate preparation, proper equipment, or thorough risk assessment.
