In an effort to aid the citizens of Gaza, the Biden administration recently placed a floating dock on its coast at a cost of 320 million dollars. However, the repair of the pier may take longer than its operation, and the US is considering using hovercraft from the US Navy as a potential alternative.
The TWZ website has requested alternatives for aid transfer from American Central Command, and in response, they mentioned that at this time, the Americans do not have the means to transfer the full amount of aid from Cyprus to Gaza. They may choose to activate 90 LCAC landings in their possession before the repair of the pier is completed.
Hovercraft are fast-moving amphibious craft capable of carrying 60-75 tons and have a maximum speed of 40 knots with a range of about 320 km. The US Navy owns several hovercraft, which have been used for various missions in the past. It is unclear why they were not initially used for aid transport to Gaza despite their capabilities.
Despite these challenges, the Americans are actively seeking solutions for aid transport. They have experienced issues with trucks using floating docks, with many arriving empty or half empty. As they navigate these logistical challenges, they are exploring all options available to them.
