US Soldier Dies After Gaza Pier Collapse

Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley, a 23-year-old U.S. Army soldier and motor transport operator from the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary, died from injuries sustained while working on a temporary pier constructed to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The pier was part of a $230 million initiative by the Biden administration, which faced adverse weather conditions and logistical challenges. Stanley was critically injured in May when high winds and rough seas caused the pier to collapse, leading to his medical retirement before he passed away on October 31. Two other soldiers suffered minor injuries and returned to duty. The mission, which aimed to deliver nearly 20 million pounds of aid, was criticized for its inefficiency and the risks it posed to U.S. personnel. The Defense Department officially ended pier operations in mid-July due to ongoing safety and operational issues.