Three U.S. service members were injured, one critically, while working aboard a military aid ship to Gaza on Thursday.
US Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, deputy commander of US Central Command, told Reuters that the troops were working to provide humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.
The incident marked the first casualties suffered by American forces during the operation.
Two service members suffered sprained ankles and minor back injuries.
“Two very minor, routine injuries. Those guys returned to duty,” Cooper said.
A third service member, who was injured on a ship at sea, was medically evacuated to a hospital in Israel, he said.
A US security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the man was in critical condition.
The controversial floating ship was announced last March by President Biden to deliver humanitarian aid to millions of people during Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
It opened last Thursday and is estimated to cost about $320 million in its first 90 days, and will be operated by about 1,000 U.S. service members — who Biden has promised will not enter Gaza.
The Pentagon has said it prioritizes the safety of U.S. military personnel.
“We’re clear-eyed, we’re continuing to look at force protection all day, every day, and we’re assessing that operations can continue as they are,” Cooper said.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon said 569 metric tons had been unloaded, but none of it actually went to Palestinians, who need food, water and other vital supplies.
Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said some trucks operated by NGOs to deliver aid to another staging area have been looted by robbers.
“Certainly as conditions permit we expect aid to be distributed here in the coming days,” Ryder said.
with post wires
