US to set up temporary port on Gaza coast for aid delivery
President Joe Biden has unveiled plans for the US military to construct a port in Gaza to get more humanitarian aid to the region by sea.
According to officials, this temporary port is expected to significantly enhance the flow of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, potentially adding “hundreds of additional truckloads” per day.
Biden made it clear that the initiative would not involve the deployment of US troops on the ground in Gaza.
The United Nations has issued a warning, citing that a quarter of Gaza’s population is teetering on the brink of famine.
During his State of the Union address on Thursday, President Biden formally announced the establishment of the port, which the US military will construct. The port will feature a temporary pier designed to facilitate the transfer of supplies from ships at sea to the shore.
The specifics regarding the construction of the causeway and the logistics of aid distribution on land remain uncertain, raising critical questions about the feasibility of the operation.
Officials have indicated that setting up the port will take “a number of weeks” and that it will be capable of receiving large ships carrying essential supplies such as food, water, medicine, and temporary shelters. Initial shipments will originate from Cyprus, where Israeli security inspections will be conducted.