US Military Plans to Construct Floating Pier for Humanitarian Aid Delivery to Gaza

A floating pier and causeway will be constructed by the US military to deliver essential humanitarian aid to Gaza. Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder mentioned that it will take approximately one to two months for the project to be completed and fully operational.

Ryder also stated that the construction of the pier and causeway may involve up to 1,000 US military personnel.

The Biden administration has announced a new measure to help Palestinians in Gaza, showing the complexity of the project. This is the second extraordinary action taken in less than a week to address the urgent humanitarian crisis caused by Israel's reluctance to open more land crossings or provide additional aid to the enclave while battling Hamas.

The initiative is focused on expanding a maritime corridor that the US, the European Commission, the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus, and the UK have been collaborating on to deliver aid directly to those in need.

Frustration is mounting within the administration due to the Israeli government's apparent reluctance to acknowledge the severity of the humanitarian crisis, despite increased pressure from the US. The international community has introduced various measures to address the crisis in Gaza, where over two million individuals require food assistance and the healthcare system is on the verge of collapse.

President Joe Biden recently announced a plan for the US military to establish a floating dock in Gaza during his State of the Union address. This initiative follows the US's recent efforts to air-drop food supplies into Gaza in an attempt to support the population, which the United Nations has warned is facing imminent famine.

Airdrops are like a drop in the ocean for Palestinians in need. The United States Air Force is delivering thousands of meals at a time, but it's not enough to feed over two million people in the strip. UN official Sigrid Kaag described the ongoing air drops as providing some relief, but ultimately they are not meeting the huge need.

The maritime corridor will be used by multiple nations. The floating pier off the coast of Gaza will be managed by the US government and built by the US military, which includes Navy and Army personnel.

Officials mentioned that the pier will enable ships to unload aid. This aid will then be transported into Gaza via a causeway that will also be constructed by the US military. The construction will utilize the military’s Joint Logistics Over the Shore capability, which involves unloading cargo from ships in areas without a fixed port facility. According to Ryder, the US last utilized this capability in an exercise named Talisman Sabre last year.

US military personnel will not be carrying the aid into Gaza, according to Ryder. Instead, regional partners on the ground will secure the causeway to the shore. This initiative has the potential to provide up to 2 million meals daily for the people of Gaza, as stated by Ryder.

Ryder mentioned that they are currently working on identifying and sourcing forces for deployment. He confirmed that elements of the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary Joint Base Langley Eustis in Virginia have been assigned to offer support.

The temporary pier concept, known as the Blue Beach Plan, was developed in part by an organization called Fogbow. Fogbow is comprised of former military, UN, USAID, and CIA personnel who provide advisory services.

Fogbow, run by former senior American military and intelligence officials, is expected to take operational lead on a maritime corridor initiative. A Qatari official mentioned that they are investing $60 million into the initiative, which includes transporting aid from the pier to the beach for distribution.

“We are dedicated to backing the maritime corridor proposed by Fogbow,” stated the official. “This collaboration between the public and private sectors aims to transport 200 truckloads of aid daily from Cyprus to Gaza via barge. Qatar has pledged a substantial financial support.”

The US official mentioned that discussions are ongoing with various organizations to assist with the initiative, however, no formal agreements have been reached at this time.

The challenges remain significant. The White House has made it clear that American troops will not be deployed in Gaza. As a result, the US is currently figuring out who will be responsible for receiving and distributing aid within the strip.

"I am instructing the US military to take charge of an urgent mission to set up a temporary pier in the Mediterranean near Gaza. This pier will be able to receive large shipments of essential supplies like food, water, medicine, and temporary shelters," stated Biden on Thursday. He also made it clear that there will be no US troops physically present on the ground.

According to one US official, there will be humanitarian workers stationed at the pier to handle, store, and distribute the aid that arrives. Additionally, a source familiar with the plans mentioned that the distribution of aid will be carried out by local Palestinians under the supervision of the UN.

All ships arriving at the floating pier must undergo security screening before docking, according to officials.

A pilot program for a maritime corridor that does not require a port, led by the United Arab Emirates, is set to begin delivering aid this weekend, the European Union announced on Friday. The program, created in collaboration with the nonprofit aid organization World Central Kitchen, will initially involve a single smaller amphibious ship.

World Central Kitchen stated that the maritime operation is a rapidly changing and flexible situation. They clarified that their efforts are distinct from Biden's announcement. Officials mentioned that talks about opening the maritime corridor intensified in recent weeks. This was due to the realization that humanitarian aid was not entering Gaza quickly through the limited land crossings available.

Administration officials and international aid workers have emphasized the importance of providing a significant amount of aid to the people of Gaza. They believe that the most efficient way to deliver this aid is through overland crossings.

US officials have been saying for months that the Biden administration's efforts are the reason behind Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's change in stance on the Gaza conflict.

For weeks, the US put pressure on Israel to open more crossings to help with the growing humanitarian crisis. Despite this, the Israeli government did not budge. In February, protests at the Kerem Shalom crossing caused a significant drop in the number of trucks passing through.

Last Thursday, the situation escalated when Israeli troops fired upon a crowd rushing towards a food convoy in the north. Over a hundred people were killed in the tragic incident.

The US president and vice president both stated that Israel should increase the aid entering Gaza without any excuses.

A senior US administration official mentioned on Thursday that Israel has planned a new land crossing leading directly into northern Gaza, although the exact location was not disclosed.

"This new crossing will help deliver much-needed aid directly to the people in northern Gaza," said the official during a call with reporters. "The UN has confirmed that the first deliveries will start passing through this crossing in the next few weeks, beginning with a pilot program and then increasing over time."

Kaag, the UN's senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, emphasized the importance of having multiple crossings. "When everything has to go through only one or two crossings, we can't expect miracles, especially in such challenging conditions within Gaza."

Editor's P/S:

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a comprehensive approach to address. The construction of a floating pier and causeway by the US military is a significant step towards delivering essential aid to the people of Gaza, but it is not without its challenges.

One of the most pressing concerns is the security of the aid shipments. All ships arriving at the floating pier will undergo security screening before docking, but there is always the risk of attacks or sabotage. Additionally, the US military will not be responsible for distributing aid within Gaza, which raises questions about who will be responsible for ensuring that the aid reaches those who need it most.

Another challenge is the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Israel has been reluctant to open more land crossings or provide additional aid to Gaza, citing security concerns. This has led to a situation where the people of Gaza are suffering from a lack of food, water, and other essential supplies. The construction of the floating pier and causeway may help to alleviate some of the suffering, but it is not a long-term solution to the conflict.

Ultimately, a lasting solution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza will require a political solution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The US and other international actors must continue to pressure both sides to return to the negotiating table and find a way to live in peace.