In his State of the Union address on Thursday night, President Joe Biden unveiled plans for an “emergency” military mission to construct a port in the Mediterranean Sea along Gaza’s coast to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
“I’m directing the U.S. military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier in the Mediterranean on the Gaza coast that can receive large ships carrying food, water, medicine, and temporary shelters,” Biden declared from the U.S. Capitol in his address to Congress.
Emphasizing that “no U.S. boots will be on the ground,” Biden outlined the crucial role of the proposed temporary pier in enabling a significant increase in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. However, he also stressed the importance of Israel’s cooperation in ensuring the smooth flow of aid and the safety of humanitarian workers.
Administration officials earlier on Thursday previewed the concept of the planned port, which they described as capable of receiving large ships carrying essential supplies. A senior defense official highlighted that the port’s main feature would be a temporary pier to accommodate hundreds of additional truckloads of assistance daily.
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The proposed operation, to be undertaken by the U.S. and partner countries, is expected to take several weeks to plan and execute. Importantly, it will not require American troops to be stationed on the ground; instead, the U.S. military will utilize its unique capabilities to operate from offshore locations.
According to defense officials, initial shipments of aid will be routed through the port via Cyprus, marking a significant step towards addressing the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza.
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While the U.S. continues to advocate for the land-based delivery of aid into Gaza, it is pursuing every available channel to expedite assistance. The administration is keenly aware of the pressing need for humanitarian relief and is exploring various options to ensure aid reaches those in need expeditiously.
In addition to the planned port construction, efforts are underway to establish a third land crossing into Gaza, facilitating direct aid delivery to the population in the northern region. The Pentagon expects the inaugural delivery via this passage to occur within the next week, bolstering ongoing relief efforts.
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Meanwhile, the U.S. has conducted multiple air drops of aid into Gaza, with the latest operation involving 192 bundles containing nearly 113,000 meals. Despite these efforts, Biden reiterated that all stakeholders must intensify their contributions to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
As negotiations continue and operational plans unfold, the Biden administration remains committed to leveraging all available resources to address the immediate needs of the people of Gaza and advance efforts toward lasting peace and stability in the region.
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