US Military Ship Departs for Gaza to Establish Temporary Pier for Aid Delivery
In a bid to alleviate the acute humanitarian crisis in Gaza, a United States military ship has set sail to establish a temporary pier off the coast of Gaza. The ship, named General Frank S. Besson, departed from its base in the US on Sunday, carrying equipment to build the pier and deliver vital humanitarian supplies. This move comes as Israel continues its assault on the Gaza Strip, obstructing aid operations and causing widespread devastation.
The US government claims that the establishment of a temporary pier will enable the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. However, critics argue that this action contradicts President Joe Biden’s approval of arms sales to Israel, which has fueled the ongoing conflict. Since the attack by Palestinian armed groups on Israeli civilians and communities in October, the US has approved 100 arms sales to Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 30,000 people, primarily women and children.
Furthermore, the US has bypassed Congressional approval twice to expedite arms shipments to Israel, despite accusations of possible genocide being leveled against the country in the International Court of Justice. Israel has also been accused of refusing to facilitate the delivery of vital food aid to starving Palestinians in Gaza and even shooting at people seeking aid.
The US’s solution to this dire situation is to construct a temporary pier off the coast of Gaza. However, critics argue that if the US were truly serious about delivering aid, it would pressure Israel to open the land crossings and cease its onslaught. Mohammed al-Masri from the Palestinian Center for Research and Strategic Studies stated, “We have not heard Biden call for a stopping of the war or even a ceasefire.”
President Biden announced his plan to establish a pier off Gaza’s Mediterranean coast during his State of the Union speech. The pier would serve as a point of entry for ships carrying food, water, medicine, and temporary shelters, as Gaza lacks functioning port infrastructure. The construction of the pier and the causeway connecting it to land is estimated to take up to 60 days and will require the deployment of approximately 1,000 US troops. These soldiers will remain offshore.
The announcement came after the United Nations warned of an impending famine among Gaza’s 2.3 million people, five months after Israel launched its offensive. The US intends to use Cyprus as a screening point for cargo, with Israeli officials overseeing the process, eliminating the need for security checks in Gaza.
However, critics argue that air and sea deliveries will not adequately address the shortage of supply routes on land. Sigrid Kaag, the UN senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, emphasized the importance of land crossings, stating that they are faster, safer, and more economical than maritime or airdropped aid. Aid groups estimate that at least 1,300 trucks of humanitarian relief supplies are needed daily in Gaza.
Avril Benoit, executive director of the US arm of the medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF), criticized the US plan as a “glaring distraction” from the root cause of the crisis: Israel’s indiscriminate military campaign and punishing siege. Israel has blamed UN agencies for the hunger crisis, accusing them of failing to distribute supplies at Gaza border crossings. However, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) argues that Israel restricts goods and imposes cumbersome inspections that impede entry.
Many questions remain regarding the establishment of the temporary pier. Mohammed al-Masri raised concerns about potential invasion by Israeli forces and the closure of border crossings. He also questioned who would provide security for the humanitarian aid and carry out its distribution. Additionally, it remains unclear who will manage this large-scale relief operation, as Israeli forces have previously attacked police attempting to secure relief distribution.
Israel has exercised full control over Gaza’s coastline and territorial waters since 1967, preventing ships from reaching the Strip. Since 2007, Israel has closed almost all of Gaza’s border crossings and imposed a naval blockade on its port, making it the only seaport in the Mediterranean closed to shipping.
As the General Frank S. Besson sets sail towards Gaza, the world watches with hope that this temporary pier will provide a lifeline for the people of Gaza. However, it is crucial that the international community continues to pressure Israel to cease its assault and open the land crossings to ensure the swift and efficient delivery of humanitarian aid. Only then can the people of Gaza begin to rebuild their lives and recover from the devastating consequences of this ongoing conflict.