US to Build Temporary Port in Gaza for Humanitarian Aid Delivery, Biden Announces
In a groundbreaking move, President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that the United States will be building a temporary port on the Gaza shoreline in the coming weeks. The purpose of this port is to facilitate the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to the 2.3 million Palestinians living in the territory. This announcement comes amidst warnings of a widespread famine in Gaza, with the UN estimating that over a quarter of the population is facing catastrophic levels of deprivation and starvation.
“We are not waiting on the Israelis. This is a moment for American leadership,” a senior US official stated, reflecting the growing frustration in Washington over what is seen as Israeli obstruction of road deliveries. The port will be constructed by US military engineers operating from ships off the Gaza coast, eliminating the need for them to step ashore. The aid deliveries will be shipped from the port of Larnaca in Cyprus, which will serve as the main relief hub.
During his State of the Union address, President Biden will also announce the opening of a new land crossing into the devastated coastal strip. This move comes after Biden faced fierce criticism within his own party for the failure to open up Gaza to humanitarian aid. With a looming famine and a death toll of 30,000 Palestinians since the start of the war on October 7th, urgent action is needed.
The US military will work in partnership with like-minded countries and humanitarian organizations to establish this port in Gaza. The United Arab Emirates is one of the nations involved, although it remains unclear whether they will offer troops to secure the aid bridgehead. Aid groups have long struggled to deliver supplies to Gaza due to difficulties coordinating with the Israeli military, ongoing hostilities, and the breakdown of public order.
The White House has assured that Israeli officials will be able to conduct inspections of the aid shipments in Larnaca. “We will coordinate with the Israelis on the security requirements on land and work with the UN and humanitarian NGOs on the distribution of assistance within Gaza,” a senior official stated. The initial shipments will come via Cyprus, facilitated by the US military and a coalition of partners and allies. However, it will take several weeks to plan and execute this mission.
It is important to note that this operation will not involve boots on the ground. The port and its temporary pier can be built from off the coast, with US military personnel stationed on military vessels offshore. Israel has expressed its full support for the creation of this facility.
Until now, the only land access routes for food aid into Gaza have been at the southern end of the strip, at Rafah and Kerem Shalom. However, the flow of assistance has been minimal compared to the immense needs of the Palestinian population. Less than 100 trucks a day have been able to cross into Gaza. Looting and Israeli inspections have further hindered deliveries, with many truckloads of aid being rejected due to prohibited goods.
US officials believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is attempting to balance different factions within his coalition, with extreme right-wingers opposing any aid deliveries. As a result, only a token amount of aid is currently being allowed into Gaza. President Biden has directed his administration to explore all options and pursue every channel possible to get assistance into Gaza, whether it be by air, sea, or land.
In an effort to provide immediate relief, US military transport planes, in collaboration with the Jordanian air force, have conducted airdrops of food aid over Gaza. However, each airdrop is equivalent to only a few truckloads of food and falls far short of meeting the needs of a population on the brink of starvation. The deputy executive director of the World Food Programme, Carl Skau, emphasized that airdrops alone cannot avert a famine and called for the opening of a sea corridor.
The White House has also announced that Israel has agreed to open a third road crossing into Gaza, providing more direct access to the northern part of the territory where the threat of famine is most imminent. This move is a significant step towards addressing the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
With the construction of a temporary port and the opening of a new land crossing, the United States is taking decisive action to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. President Biden’s announcement marks a turning point in American leadership and demonstrates a commitment to alleviating the suffering of millions in need. The international community and humanitarian organizations stand ready to support this vital mission, working together to provide the assistance that Gaza so desperately requires.
