Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.
The US military has officially anchored its new pier to the coast of Gaza, and officials are expected to soon begin delivery of crucial humanitarian aid to the besieged region.
The pier, completed earlier this month, faced delays in anchoring due to bad weather. With the dock now secure, officials anticipate delivering approximately 500 tons of humanitarian aid in the coming days, addressing the urgent need for food and water among Palestinian civilians affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander of US Central Command, confirmed the successful anchoring of the pier early Thursday morning. He mentioned that “hundreds of tons of humanitarian assistance” are ready for immediate distribution, with “thousands of tons in the pipeline.”
Sonali Korde, from the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, highlighted the significance of the new pier in filling a critical “gap” in humanitarian aid for Gaza. She emphasized the urgency by stating, “We’re at a point in time when we can’t spare any effort.”
The aid distribution process will commence in Cyprus, where barges will transport supplies to a floating dock offshore Gaza. From there, the aid will be ferried to the anchored pier and unloaded for distribution. Around 1,000 US troops are involved in the mission, though Washington insists there will be no ground troops. Instead, the US military will collaborate with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the United Nations, and various humanitarian organizations to ensure aid reaches Palestinian civilians.
Despite some concerns from Republicans regarding the safety of US military personnel, especially after a recent attack near the port, Cooper reassured that a robust security plan developed with the IDF is in place. He expressed confidence in the mission’s safety by stating, “We worked very closely with the IDF to develop a series of protocols,” and noted a “high level of confidence” in the mission’s success.
