The U.S. military has begun constructing a temporary pier to transport humanitarian aid into Gaza from the Mediterranean Sea. Components of the temporary pier, including a floating platform and a causeway, are being moved from the Port of Ashdod in Israel to Gaza, where they will be anchored to the beach to assist in the delivery of international humanitarian aid. The construction of the two pieces was completed last week, and the temporary pier is expected to be operational in the coming days, possibly as early as Thursday.
The need for food and supplies in Gaza has increased as Israel appears ready to launch an offensive against the southern city of Rafah. According to USAID Response Director Daniel Dieckhaus, 450,000 Gazans have fled Rafah since May 6, and humanitarian actors are facing challenges in delivering aid due to the closure of critical border crossings and the deteriorating situation. The Biden administration has stated that the corridor will increase the amount of aid getting in, but it is not meant to replace the entry points by road, which are more efficient for bringing in aid quickly.
The flow of aid through the corridor is expected to start in Cyprus, where it will be inspected and loaded onto ships to travel to the floating platform in the eastern Mediterranean. Once it arrives, aid will be transferred by U.S. military vessels to the causeway attached to the coast of Gaza, where trucks driven by a third party will take the aid into Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces are providing security on the beachhead, and the United Nations is coordinating the delivery of supplies to people in Gaza. Initially, the corridor is expected to deliver about 90 trucks worth of aid a day, with plans to ramp up to 150 per day once it reaches full capacity.
The Pentagon estimates the cost of the corridor to be around $320 million. President Biden announced the maritime corridor during his State of the Union address in March, emphasizing the importance of humanitarian assistance and saving innocent lives. He has stated that no U.S. troops will step foot in Gaza, with about 1,000 U.S. service members devoted to the maritime corridor operation just off the coast. The U.S. military, along with international partners, are working to ensure the safe delivery of aid to Gaza amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in the region.
Overall, the construction of the temporary pier and the establishment of a maritime corridor for delivering aid to Gaza reflect the U.S. government’s commitment to providing support to those in need amid the ongoing conflict in the region. By utilizing military resources and international cooperation, efforts are being made to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ensure that essential supplies reach those who require assistance. President Biden’s announcement of the corridor highlights the importance of prioritizing humanitarian aid and saving lives in conflict zones, emphasizing the need for international support and collaboration to address the challenges faced by vulnerable populations in the region.
