U.S. Military to Build Temporary Maritime Corridor for Aid Delivery to Gaza Strip
In a significant move to provide aid to the besieged Gaza Strip, the U.S. military has announced plans to construct a temporary maritime corridor. The Pentagon Press Secretary, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, stated that approximately 1,000 U.S. forces will be involved in building a pier and causeway to transport aid. While no U.S. forces will be stationed on the ground in Gaza, this operation aims to address the pressing issue of insufficient aid reaching the region.
During a news briefing, Ryder emphasized that this initiative is part of a comprehensive effort by the United States to alleviate the dire situation in Gaza. He stated, “The president has said not enough aid is getting in, and so this is a capability that we have, and it’s a capability that we are going to execute.” The construction of the corridor is estimated to take around 60 days, but once completed, it will have the capacity to provide approximately two million meals daily.
The 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), based in Fort Eustis-Langley, Virginia, is one of the units involved in this operation. However, there are still logistical aspects that need to be addressed. Ryder mentioned ongoing discussions with partners regarding security arrangements for the temporary causeway and the distribution of aid upon its arrival in Gaza.
The plan entails loading aid onto ships, potentially in Cyprus, which will then sail to a U.S. military temporary pier in the eastern Mediterranean. At the pier, the aid will be transferred to smaller logistics vessels that will navigate towards a U.S. military causeway attached to Gaza’s shore. To avoid placing U.S. forces on the coast, the causeway can be constructed at sea and pushed onto the shore. Ryder confirmed that partners will be present on the shore to receive and anchor the causeway. Once the aid reaches the causeway, it will be transported to the shore and distributed by local partners. The assembly of both the floating pier and the causeway is expected to take 7 to 10 days, depending on sea conditions and the availability of light sources for round-the-clock construction.
While there will be no U.S. forces on the ground in Gaza, Ryder acknowledged the potential risk of Hamas firing on the causeway. He appealed to Hamas, stating that if they genuinely care about the Palestinian people, they should allow this vital aid to reach those in need. Ensuring the safety of U.S. troops is a top priority, and anchoring the causeway poses a significant challenge. Typically, it would be dug into the shore, but since U.S. forces cannot go ashore, alternative methods such as using tugs to hold it in place will be employed. Additionally, wire mesh is usually laid at the end of the causeway to prevent trucks from getting stuck in the sand. In Gaza, this task will need to be carried out by local authorities.
The defense official confirmed that the U.S. Navy will be responsible for protecting both the causeway and the floating pier. This announcement comes shortly after the U.S. began airdropping aid into Gaza using military aircraft. Ryder revealed that approximately 124,000 meals have been delivered through four rounds of airdrops. However, this amount is insufficient to address the estimated half a million people facing starvation in Gaza.
The maritime corridor and airdrops are part of the Biden administration’s concerted efforts to provide substantial aid to Gaza. While convoys via trucks are typically the most efficient means of delivering aid, limited access through checkpoints in southern Gaza has hindered their effectiveness. The U.S. government’s commitment to addressing this humanitarian crisis is evident in their multifaceted approach.
In conclusion, the U.S. military’s decision to construct a temporary maritime corridor to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip marks a significant step towards alleviating the dire situation in the region. With the involvement of approximately 1,000 U.S. forces, the construction of a pier and causeway will enable the transportation of essential supplies. While challenges remain, such as ensuring security and coordinating with local authorities, this operation demonstrates the Biden administration’s commitment to flood the zone with aid. By combining airdrops with the maritime corridor, the U.S. aims to provide vital support to the people of Gaza who have been suffering from a lack of resources for far too long.