Biden Gaza pier fiasco left 62 US forces injured, one dead and caused $31M in damages: report

New York Post - May 7th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Former President Joe Biden's initiative to create a floating pier to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, called Operation Neptune Solace, resulted in one service member's death, 62 injuries, and $31 million in damages to military equipment. A Pentagon watchdog report criticized the Army and Navy for inadequate preparation and coordination, leading to the operation's failure. The pier was only operational for 20 days and managed to deliver aid to 450,000 Palestinians, falling short of its target to support 1.5 million people.

The report highlights significant deficiencies in planning, such as the lack of interoperability of Army and Navy equipment and failure to consider crucial environmental conditions. Despite warnings from federal aid workers, the project proceeded, costing $230 million. The failed mission underscores the challenges of executing complex military logistics without sufficient training and coordination, raising questions about the decision-making processes under Biden's administration. The report also underscores broader implications for U.S. humanitarian efforts in conflict zones, particularly regarding operational readiness and inter-agency collaboration.

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RATING

7.0
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a detailed account of the challenges and failures associated with the Gaza pier operation, focusing on the operational and financial shortcomings. It effectively highlights the critical findings of the Pentagon's inspector general report, offering a timely and relevant perspective on U.S. military operations and foreign aid. However, the story could benefit from a more balanced approach by including responses from the Biden administration and military officials to provide a fuller picture of the situation. The lack of direct citations and links to primary sources slightly undermines its transparency, but the clear and accessible writing enhances its readability. Overall, the article successfully addresses topics of public interest and has the potential to influence discussions about military oversight and foreign policy, though its impact could be strengthened by incorporating diverse viewpoints and interactive elements.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article presents a generally accurate depiction of the events surrounding the failed floating Gaza pier plan. Key claims, such as the number of injuries (62 U.S. personnel) and the death of Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley, are corroborated by multiple sources, including the Pentagon's inspector general report. The reported $31 million in damages to military equipment is consistent with the findings from credible sources. However, the story could enhance its accuracy by providing more direct citations from the original Pentagon and USAID reports to strengthen its claims about the operational shortcomings and cost implications. Additionally, while the article mentions the operational duration and effectiveness of the pier, it could benefit from more detailed data about the aid delivered to enhance precision.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents a critical view of the Biden administration's handling of the Gaza pier plan, focusing on the failures and negative outcomes. It cites the Pentagon's inspector general report and mentions previous criticisms from USAID, which suggests a bias towards highlighting the operation's shortcomings. However, the article lacks a balanced perspective by not including any responses or justifications from the Biden administration or military officials involved, which could provide a more rounded view of the situation. Including these perspectives would help readers understand the complexities and challenges faced during the operation.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and presents information in a logical sequence, making it easy for readers to follow the narrative. The language is clear and concise, effectively conveying the critical points about the operation's failures and consequences. However, the story could enhance clarity by providing more background information on the purpose and strategic goals of the Gaza pier plan, which would help readers understand the broader context. Additionally, breaking down complex military terms and operations into simpler explanations would further aid comprehension.

7
Source quality

The article references reputable sources, such as the Pentagon's inspector general report and USAID's findings, which lend credibility to its claims. However, the story would benefit from explicitly citing these reports and including direct quotes or excerpts to enhance source transparency. Additionally, the absence of comments or responses from the Pentagon or Biden administration officials weakens the source quality, as it relies heavily on the inspector general's critical perspective without offering a counter-narrative or additional viewpoints.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear account of the events and references official reports, but it lacks transparency in terms of directly citing or linking to these sources. This omission makes it difficult for readers to verify the claims independently. Moreover, the story could improve transparency by explaining the methodology behind the inspector general's findings and detailing the context in which the operation was launched, including any geopolitical or strategic considerations. Without these elements, the article leaves some questions unanswered regarding the basis of its claims.

Sources

  1. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2025/05/06/ill-fated-gaza-pier-mission-lacked-sufficient-training-equipment-ig/
  2. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/05/06/investigation-gaza-pier-mission-finds-funding-cuts-poor-planning-hindered-operation.html
  3. https://freebeacon.com/latest-news/more-than-60-service-members-were-injured-while-working-on-bidens-gaza-pier-boondoggle-report/
  4. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1ehfd00eeg
  5. https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/biden-era-gaza-aid-pier--a-costly-mission-with-hidden-injuri