WASHINGTON: A US military ship is sailing towards the Middle East, carrying equipment to construct a temporary port of the coast of Gaza, the army says.
The support vessel, General Frank S Besson, embarked from a military base in Virginia on Saturday, carrying essential equipment for the construction of the floating harbor. This move follows President Joe Biden’s commitment to establish the pier to facilitate the delivery of aid into Gaza by sea.
The urgency of the situation in Gaza has been underscored by warnings from the United Nations of an imminent famine, with reports of children succumbing to starvation. Land and air deliveries of humanitarian aid have been obstructed by perilous conditions, including attacks on aid convoys and tragic incidents such as the recent deaths caused by a malfunctioning aid parachute.
Aid Delivery to Gaza
The Pentagon has cautioned that it could take up to 60 days to complete the construction of the pier with the assistance of 1,000 troops, none of whom will disembark.
Meanwhile, an aid ship laden with 200 tons of food is expected to depart from Larnaca, Cyprus, on Sunday afternoon. This initiative, facilitated by the European Union, aims to establish a direct sea route for aid deliveries from Cyprus to Gaza.
While these endeavors offer hope for relief, challenges remain in ensuring the safe and efficient distribution of aid within Gaza. The territory lacks a functioning port, and its shallow surrounding waters pose logistical hurdles for large vessels.
The international community continues to pressure Israel to facilitate expanded access for humanitarian assistance, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the dire situation facing Gaza’s Palestinian population.
