WASHINGTON – The Pentagon said on Thursday that the US military has begun building a naval pier off Gaza aimed at accelerating the flow of humanitarian aid to the Strip when it becomes operational in May.
In March, US President Joe Biden announced the construction of the pier following relief officials appealed to Israel to facilitate the arrival of aid supplies to Gaza via land routes.
It is not clear whether the dock will ultimately succeed in promoting humanitarian aid at a time when international officials warn of the risk of famine in northern Gaza.
The military campaign launched by Israel six months ago destroyed the Gaza Strip and pushed its population of 2.3 million people to the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe.
A senior Biden administration official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, said humanitarian aid coming through the pier would have to pass through Israeli checkpoints on the ground. This is despite the fact that the aid will be inspected by Israel in Cyprus before being sent to Gaza.
Israel aims to prevent any aid from reaching the faction movement’s fighters that would enhance their war effort.
The possibility of aid passing through these checkpoints raises questions regarding possible delays even following the aid reaches the shore. The United Nations has long complained of obstacles preventing aid from arriving and distributing it throughout Gaza.
“I can confirm that US military ships, including the ship Benavidez, have begun construction of the initial stages of the temporary pier and bridge at sea,” Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder told reporters.
Concerns regarding the risk of American forces being involved in the war between Israel and the faction movement were confirmed yesterday, Thursday, with reports of a mortar attack near the area where the pier will touch land. But there are no American troops there, and Biden ordered the army not to enter the Gaza beach.
The dock will initially handle 90 trucks per day, and this number will increase to 150 trucks per day when it is fully operational. The United Nations said this week that the average number of trucks entering Gaza daily during this month is 200 trucks, and that it peaked on Monday at 316 trucks.
The official added that regarding 1,000 American soldiers will support these efforts, including coordination cells in Cyprus and Israel.
He added that a third party will drive the trucks from the pier to the beach.
Karl Skau, Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Program, warned yesterday, Thursday, that the northern Gaza Strip still faces the risk of famine, and appealed for an increase in the volume of aid and called on Israel to allow direct access from the port of Ashdod in the south to the Erez crossing.
The Israeli army said in a statement that it would provide security and logistical support for the pier.
An Israeli military brigade comprising thousands of soldiers, along with Israeli Navy and Air Force ships, will protect the American forces building the pier.
Ryder said the Pentagon is tracking some type of mortar attack in Gaza that caused minor damage in the pier construction area. But he added that American forces have not begun moving anything to that area yet, and there are no American forces on the ground.
Reuters
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2024-04-26 23:38:18
