The U.S. Military Sets Sail to Build Floating Pier for Gaza Aid Effort
In a bold move to address the hunger crisis in Gaza, the U.S. military announced on Sunday that a ship had set sail carrying equipment to build a floating pier on Gaza’s coast. This initiative is part of the Biden administration’s efforts to deliver aid to the enclave by sea and provide much-needed relief to its residents.
The plan for a pier and causeway, which was unveiled last week, aims to eventually deliver up to two million meals a day to the people of Gaza. However, the Pentagon has cautioned that the project will take weeks to complete, and humanitarian officials have raised concerns about the efficiency of delivering aid by sea compared to using trucks.
The Army ship, named the General Frank S. Besson, departed from a base near Norfolk, Va., on Saturday, according to the U.S. military. The ship is carrying the necessary equipment to establish a temporary pier for delivering vital humanitarian supplies to Gaza.
The construction of the floating pier will involve the Army’s Seventh Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), with approximately 1,000 American service members working on the project. The Israeli military will also play a role in coordinating the installation of the pier and inspecting shipments before they are handed off to aid groups for distribution.
This U.S. initiative is just one of many efforts to increase aid to Gaza, with other countries and organizations also joining in the cause. The United Nations has warned of an imminent famine in Gaza, prompting a flurry of actions to get more food and supplies into the enclave.
Despite the logistical challenges and costs associated with maritime aid delivery, countries like Britain, the European Union, and the United Arab Emirates have pledged to support separate initiatives to provide assistance to Gaza. Nonprofit organizations like World Central Kitchen are also stepping up, with plans to send a cargo ship loaded with essential supplies to the region.
As the world comes together to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the efforts to deliver aid by sea are gaining momentum. With the U.S. military leading the way in building a floating pier, hopes are high that this initiative will help alleviate the suffering of the people in Gaza.
