- US to construct temporary port on Gaza coast for humanitarian aid delivery.
- Initiative aims to increase aid flow to Palestinians facing famine, with initial shipments arriving via Cyprus.
- Port construction by US military aims to alleviate crisis, with focus on ensuring aid distribution and ceasefire efforts.
The United States has announced plans to set up a temporary port on the Gaza coast.
President Joe Biden made this announcement during his State of the Union address, emphasizing the need to increase humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.
The goal is to facilitate the delivery of essential supplies such as food, water, medicine, and temporary shelters to Gaza, where a quarter of the population is on the brink of famine.
The temporary port, to be constructed by the US military, aims to handle large shipments of aid by sea. The initiative does not involve deploying US troops on the ground in Gaza.
Instead, a temporary pier will be built to transport supplies from ships at sea to the shore. This strategic move is expected to boost the delivery of aid by “hundreds of additional truckloads” per day.
President Biden stressed that Israel must also play a role by allowing more aid into the territory and ensuring the safety of humanitarian workers.
The announcement comes amid a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the World Health Organization warning of children dying of starvation in the northern part of the region.
The conflict between Israel and Gaza, sparked by Hamas’s attacks on Israel in October, has resulted in a devastating toll on the population.
Over 30,800 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. The ongoing crisis has prompted the need for urgent humanitarian assistance.
The construction of the temporary port is expected to take a few weeks, with the initial shipments arriving via Cyprus. Israeli security inspections will be conducted in Cyprus before the aid is transported to Gaza.
The port will provide a vital entry point for much-needed supplies, considering Gaza’s lack of a deep-water port.
US officials revealed plans for the construction of the pier by the 7th Transportation Brigade, a rapid deployment army unit based at Fort Story, Virginia.
While the feasibility of the plan has been acknowledged by experts, questions remain regarding the construction of the causeway and the security measures for aid distribution on land.
Vice Adm Kevin Donegan, formerly Commander of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in the Middle East, expressed confidence in the port plan’s execution.
However, he emphasized that delivering aid by land remains the most effective method for reaching as many people as possible.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has led to desperate measures, with aid lorries facing challenges in reaching the northern part of the territory.
The World Food Programme suspended food deliveries to northern Gaza due to “complete chaos and violence” in the region. The US and other nations have resorted to air drops as a last resort, but this method falls short of meeting the soaring need for assistance.
President Biden also addressed the ongoing diplomatic efforts, stating that he is “working nonstop” to achieve an immediate six-week ceasefire.
He emphasized the urgency of the ceasefire to address the intolerable humanitarian crisis and facilitate the release of hostages.
An independent UN expert accused Israel of conducting “a starvation campaign against the Palestinian people in Gaza.” Israel vehemently rejected these allegations, stating that it does not use starvation as a tool of war.
The situation remains complex, with Hamas and Israel engaged in indirect negotiations for a ceasefire, though a deal is yet to be reached.
As the international community grapples with finding a solution to the crisis, the establishment of a temporary port by the US offers a glimmer of hope for the people of Gaza.
The focus now shifts to the successful implementation of this initiative to alleviate the suffering of the population and pave the way for a lasting resolution to the conflict.
