The Pentagon has unveiled plans to construct a temporary pier off the coast of the Gaza Strip in order to increase the flow of aid into the territory. The project aims to deliver over 2 million meals a day to the region, utilizing a military capability that does not require American troops on the ground. The plan involves deploying approximately 1,000 troops to the Mediterranean Sea over the next 60 days to build a floating platform where cargo ships can offload aid onto smaller military vessels. These vessels will then transfer the aid to a causeway attached to the beach, where trucks will pick it up and distribute it within Gaza.
President Joe Biden announced this initiative during his State of the Union Address, highlighting the importance of providing aid to those in need. The concept, known as Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore, has previously been used during Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia. The modular causeway will be assembled offshore and then driven to the beach, where it will be anchored ashore.
The Pentagon is currently identifying units to deploy to the Mediterranean for construction, including soldiers from the 7th Transportation Brigade at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. However, one challenge that remains is how to protect both the offshore pier and the causeway from potential attacks by Hamas. The planning process involves collaboration with Israel, which could provide security through its own forces.
The temporary pier has the potential to significantly increase the amount of aid flowing into Gaza, supplementing the trucks that arrive daily through the border with Israel and ongoing air drops by the U.S. military. The U.S. recently carried out its fourth aid drop via C-130 Hercules aircraft, with each plane carrying a similar amount of aid as a truck does over land. While there were up to 200 aid trucks entering Gaza daily during the Israel-Hamas war, the pace has now decreased to 100 or fewer trucks a day.
The construction of the temporary port could help address some of the distribution concerns associated with aid arriving over land. However, there are still questions about how to securely distribute the aid to ensure it reaches everyone in need and is not hindered by various groups taking advantage of security vacuums. Non-government organizations, the United Nations, and regional partners may be involved in accepting and distributing the aid ashore, although specific details have yet to be finalized.
Another issue that needs to be addressed is the inspection process for aid, which has slowed down the flow of land shipments. The Israeli government argues that they are inspecting more trucks than are actually entering Gaza on a daily basis. However, some believe that Israel’s inspection process is cumbersome and arbitrary, causing delays in aid delivery. The capacity to effectively distribute aid will be tested once containerships arrive in Gaza, providing insights into the logistical supply line and interior lines.
The United States will continue to pressure the Israeli government to ease restrictions on incoming aid and open up more land crossings, as mentioned by President Biden in his speech. The goal is to ensure that aid reaches those in need efficiently and effectively.
In conclusion, the Pentagon’s plans to construct a temporary pier off the coast of the Gaza Strip demonstrate a commitment to increasing the flow of aid into the region. By utilizing military capabilities without requiring American troops on the ground, this initiative aims to deliver over 2 million meals a day to those in need. While challenges remain, such as protecting the pier and causeway from potential attacks and addressing distribution concerns, efforts are being made to collaborate with Israel and involve non-government organizations and regional partners in aid acceptance and distribution. The construction of the temporary port has the potential to supplement existing aid delivery methods and provide valuable insights into improving logistical supply lines. The United States will continue to advocate for easing restrictions on incoming aid and opening up more land crossings to ensure efficient and effective aid distribution.