The U.N. World Food Program has agreed to help deliver aid for the starving civilians in Gaza with the assistance of the U.S. military, once a pier for transporting humanitarian assistance by sea is completed. The involvement of the U.N. agency could help overcome obstacles faced by aid groups due to Israel’s reluctance to allow significant changes in the distribution of aid in Gaza. Despite facing criticism over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, President Joe Biden announced the U.S. military’s plan to build the temporary pier and causeway as an alternative to land routes.
The U.S. Agency for International Development confirmed its partnership with the WFP on delivering humanitarian assistance to Gaza via the maritime corridor. The safety and security of humanitarian actors is crucial for the delivery of assistance, and efforts are being made to ensure the aid reaches Palestinian civilians in an independent, neutral, and impartial manner. Following international criticism, Israel promised to open more border crossings into Gaza and increase the flow of aid after drone strikes killed seven aid workers delivering food.
The ongoing war between Hamas militants and Israel has caused significant devastation in Gaza, leading to widespread casualties and destruction. Famine is imminent in northern Gaza, with 70% of people facing catastrophic hunger. The U.S. military is constructing a modular causeway as part of the maritime route to speed up aid distribution by handling inspection and processing offshore. The construction of a large floating platform and pier will facilitate the transfer of aid to Gaza’s people, with several Army vessels already preparing in the Mediterranean Sea.
The pier being constructed is expected to be 1,800 feet long, with two lanes, capable of accommodating the delivery of more than 2 million meals a day for Gaza residents. Army soldiers will participate in the mission, with about 1,000 U.S. troops in total involved in the operation. The construction of the pier, expected to be completed by the end of the month or early May, was on hold as agreements for aid collection and distribution were finalized. While U.S. forces will not be transporting aid onto the shore, security will be provided by U.S. Navy ships and Army vessels during the construction phase.
The U.S. and WFP officials are working on strategies to ensure the aid reaches Palestinian civilians in Gaza in an impartial manner. The U.N. agency’s involvement in aid distribution could help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and provide much-needed assistance to the starving population. The construction of the pier and causeway by the U.S. military is a significant step towards delivering aid efficiently to Gaza’s people, with the hope of preventing famine and addressing the urgent needs of the civilian population. Despite challenges and obstacles, efforts are being made to prioritize humanitarian assistance and address the critical situation in Gaza.
