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A US military vessel is currently en route to the Eastern Mediterranean to establish a temporary seaport off the coast of Gaza, aimed at providing crucial humanitarian assistance to the region. This move comes as a direct response to President Biden’s commitment, announced during his State of the Union address, to aid Gaza through maritime resources.
The initiative, spearheaded by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), involves the logistic support vessel, General Frank S. Besson, which carries the necessary equipment to set up a provisional pier for delivering vital supplies.
The construction of the Gaza aid port is anticipated to take two months and require the efforts of at least 1,000 service members. This development is in answer to the pressing need for humanitarian aid in Gaza, where civilians have been severely impacted by the lack of essential supplies, such as medical items, food, and water, amidst the ongoing war with Hamas. Earlier efforts by the US military to improve conditions on the ground included the delivery of humanitarian aid via C-130 cargo planes.
According to Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Defense Department press secretary, the temporary port will facilitate the transfer of cargo from shipping vessels to smaller boats, which will then transport and offload the cargo onto a temporary causeway. This method is designed to deliver humanitarian aid directly to Gaza without requiring US military personnel to be present on the ground. This initiative is part of broader efforts by the US to enhance humanitarian support for Gaza, amidst critical views of Israel’s military actions in the territory.
