Hungry Crowds Form at Street Kitchen in Northern Gaza as U.S. Military Builds Floating Dock for Aid Distribution
In the war-torn region of northern Gaza, a devastating humanitarian crisis is unfolding. Since the World Food Program ceased deliveries to the area, an estimated half a million people are facing famine. The situation has become dire, with nearly all 2.3 million people struggling to find food, and over half a million people on the brink of starvation. However, hope has arrived in the form of a temporary floating dock being built by the U.S. military to aid in the distribution of food and other essential supplies.
President Joe Biden announced this crucial assistance to Gaza during his recent State of the Union address. As Army personnel swiftly pulled plans and equipment together, Major General Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, revealed that it would take over 1,000 soldiers several weeks to construct the temporary structure. It is important to note that there will be no U.S. forces present in Gaza for this mission. Instead, it will likely involve the collaboration of other allies, contractors, and aid agencies.
The need for this floating dock arises from Israel’s intense restrictions on aid delivered by land. Israeli forces have blocked routes and slowed down aid deliveries for inspections over the past five months since the war began. The conflict was sparked after Hamas militants killed around 1,200 people in Israel and took 250 people hostage on October 7th. In response, Israel’s attacks in Gaza have tragically claimed the lives of approximately 31,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.
To alleviate the suffering in Gaza, the U.S. has already initiated airdrops of aid. Over 124,000 meals have been delivered to date. However, the construction of the floating dock will provide a more efficient and sustainable means of distributing aid. Known as a Joint Logistics Over the Shore, this temporary dock is constructed using 40-foot-long pieces of steel that lock together to form a pier and causeway, resembling LEGOs.
While the efforts to provide aid are commendable, there have been some tragic incidents. Five children in Gaza lost their lives during a humanitarian aid drop from an unknown foreign country. However, the U.S. Central Command has clarified that it was not an American airdrop. In response to this tragedy, American C-130 airplanes dropped additional aid, equivalent to over 41,400 meals and 23,000 bottles of water, in northern Gaza.
The urgency of the situation is further highlighted by the recent deaths of at least 20 individuals due to complications related to malnutrition in northern Gaza. These deaths serve as a stark reminder of the risk of famine that looms over the region amidst the ongoing bombardment and siege.
In a positive development, Sweden has joined the European Union and Canada in restoring funding to the U.N. agency responsible for aiding Palestinians. This announcement comes after a pause in aid weeks ago when Israel accused a dozen U.N. agency workers of participating in the October 7th Hamas attacks. Several countries, including the U.S., suspended millions in funds following these allegations.
In a separate incident, American and coalition forces successfully downed at least 28 Houthi drones during an attack in the Red Sea. The Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel group in Yemen, have targeted ships in the Red Sea as a form of opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza. The recent attack resulted in no damage to U.S. or coalition vessels, nor were any commercial ships affected.
Amidst these challenges, Cyprus has emerged as a crucial hub for aid delivery. The European Union recently announced the establishment of a shipping corridor in the Mediterranean Sea to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza from Cyprus. Located approximately 250 miles from the Gaza Strip, Cyprus is well-positioned to facilitate food delivery and other essential assistance, especially since Israel has limited other aid deliveries by truck. The shipping corridor is a collaborative effort between the European Commission, the U.S., the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus, and other nations.
In a promising development, a ship carrying humanitarian assistance from the Spanish aid group Open Arms is set to embark on a pilot voyage through the newly established corridor. The aid will be delivered to northern Gaza from World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization led by celebrity chef José Andrés. The shipment is expected to arrive in two to three days at an undisclosed location in northern Gaza, where cases of hunger and starvation are most severe. However, it is important to note that Israel has requested security checks for the aid.
World Central Kitchen has been at the forefront of providing aid to Gaza, having already delivered over 32 million meals via trucks and airdrops. The establishment of the shipping corridor will enable the organization to increase the amount of aid it delivers, providing much-needed relief to the suffering population.
As the situation in Gaza continues to worsen, the efforts of various organizations, countries, and military personnel are crucial in