NORFOLK, Va. — Three U.S. service members were injured Thursday during Gaza pier operations involving a Navy cargo ship based out of Newport News, according to media reports.
According to an ABC News report, U.S. Central Command confirmed one of the service members is in critical condition and receiving care at a local Israeli hospital. Two others were treated for minor injuries and had returned to duty, according to the report.
Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM deputy commander, told ABC News that the non-combat accident was "related to the U.S.-built pier off Gaza known as JLOTS, or the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore capability."
Other U.S. officials told ABC News that the accident involved a forklift and that the service member in critical condition was injured aboard the USNS Benavidez, which is a U.S. Navy cargo ship based out of Newport News, Virginia.
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The Benavidez is a "large, medium speed roll-on, roll-off ship" that left Newport News on March 21 "carrying heavy equipment and material needed to construct a temporary pier to support the flow of multinational humanitarian aid into Gaza," according to Military Sealift Command.
Construction of the 1,800-foot-long pier was recently completed by Fort Eustis-based 7th Transportation Brigade soldiers.
During a news conference on Tuesday, Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant General Pat Ryder said, "To date, over 569 metric tons of humanitarian assistance have been delivered across the temporary pier or JLOTS, for further distribution by humanitarian partners, with more help on the way."