The US military was underprepared and its equipment was not up to scratch when it conducted last year's operation to get aid into Gaza using a temporary pier, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday.
The $230 million floating dock, known as the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore system, or Jlots, was installed on a Gaza beach in May last year, but by safety concerns, rough seas and security challenges that meant it was in operation for only about 20 days. One US soldier was killed and two were injured during maritime operations for the pier.
The effort was called Operation Neptune Solace, and no US troops were ever on the ground in Gaza.
The administration of then-president Joe Biden faced heavy criticism for installing a complicated pier instead of simply demanding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allow greater amounts of aid into Gaza by land.
Then, as now, many parts of Gaza were experiencing famine-like conditions. The US military has said the operation was a success that ultimately enabled the delivery of about 8,800 tonnes of aid.
However, distribution to those who needed it most was not assured after it reached the shore, with looting common.
According to a Senate-commissioned report by the Pentagon's inspector general, the US army and navy did not meet the necessary standards for equipment and unit readiness for their watercraft units.
The Office of the Inspector General also concluded that some army and navy equipment as well as command, control and communications systems were not interoperable, resulting in damage during exercises and operations, including in Gaza.
The navy reported $31 million in damage to 27 vessels and other equipment, according to the report.
The Department of Defence “experienced several challenges during Operation Neptune Solace and while performing Jlots exercises”, said deputy inspector general for evaluations Michael Roark.
The department "must improve and learn from these previous deployments and exercises to meet the demands of future Jlots missions", he added.
Mr Roark made three recommendations, including that the army and navy review their watercraft units and determine improvements to force structure, training, and equipment acquisition and maintenance.
More on Quran memorisation:
if you go
The flights
Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.
The hotel
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Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850
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Events and tours
There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com
For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.
More information
For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
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BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
