US dispatches ship to start building Gaza pier

U.S. Army Vessel 'General Frank S. Besson' prepares to depart Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia/Photo: U.S. Central Command via AP)

WASHINGTON DC: A U.S. Army ship was on its way to the Mediterranean Sea to start construction of a temporary pier on the Gaza coastline to provide passage for more truckloads of humanitarian aid to famished Palestinians, but officials say it could be as long as two months before the facility is built and operating.