President Joe Biden announced plans to provide aid to Gaza by sea in his recent State of the Union address. The Army’s 7th Transportation Brigade and other units have been tasked with building a floating dock off the Gaza coast to deliver food and essential supplies to residents in need. This initiative comes as Israel has imposed strict restrictions on land routes into Gaza, severely limiting the flow of aid.
The operation involves up to 1,000 U.S. troops and is expected to take several weeks to complete. The logistical challenges are compounded by the need for Israel's cooperation, which remains uncertain.
Why Build a Floating Pier?
Following the Israel-Hamas conflict, Gaza is facing a dire humanitarian crisis, with over 2.3 million people struggling to access food. The existing land routes for aid delivery have been obstructed by ongoing hostilities and Israeli inspections, hampering relief efforts.
In response, President Biden directed the military to construct a temporary pier on Gaza's coast to facilitate the arrival of large ships carrying food, water, medicine, and shelters, aiming to significantly increase humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
Assembled Like Legos
The 7th Transportation Brigade is assembling Joint Logistics Over The Shore (JLOTS) equipment, which consists of steel pieces that can be interconnected to form a pier and causeway. U.S. troops will load this equipment onto a Military Sealift Command vessel for transport to Gaza, where they will construct an offshore pier to receive aid shipments.
Challenges Ahead
A key challenge will be securing Israel's support for the aid delivery operation. While the U.S. has resorted to airdrops, the focus is on establishing a secure maritime corridor for aid shipments. The involvement of allies, private ships, and crowd control measures may be necessary to ensure the safe delivery of aid.
International Aid Efforts
Cyprus has offered its port in Larnaca for aid deliveries to Gaza, with plans for a pilot voyage by a ship from Spain's Open Arms aid group. The European Commission and the UAE are also coordinating efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza via sea routes.
Overall, the U.S. military's initiative to provide aid to Gaza by sea underscores the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in the region and the collaborative efforts required to ensure effective aid delivery.
