The U.N. World Food Program has agreed to aid in delivering humanitarian assistance to the starving civilians of Gaza once the U.S. military completes a pier for transporting the aid by sea. This collaboration aims to address the reluctance of aid groups to handle on-the-ground distribution in Gaza due to security concerns and restrictions imposed by Israel.
Following an Israeli military attack that resulted in the tragic deaths of seven aid workers, international criticism of Israel's handling of humanitarian efforts has intensified. In response, President Joe Biden announced the U.S. military's plan to construct a temporary pier and causeway to facilitate aid delivery to Gaza as an alternative to land routes.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has confirmed its partnership with the World Food Program for delivering humanitarian assistance via the maritime corridor. The operation requires coordination among various partners to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian actors involved in the aid distribution process.
Israel has pledged to open more border crossings into Gaza and increase aid flow following the recent incidents. The U.S. military is set to construct a modular causeway and floating platform offshore to expedite aid distribution to Gaza's population facing imminent famine.
The pier, expected to be 1,800 feet long with two lanes, will accommodate the delivery of over 2 million meals daily for Gaza residents. U.S. troops, including soldiers from the 7th Transportation Brigade, will be involved in building the pier, with security provided by U.S. Navy and Army vessels.
The construction of the pier is progressing, with plans to have the system operational by the end of the month or early May. While U.S. forces will construct elements of the pier, they will not be involved in transporting aid onto the shore, as Israel has agreed to provide security for the distribution process.
