US to build port in Gaza for delivering humanitarian aid
The US will build a port in Gaza for delivering humanitarian aid (photo: GettyImages)
Biden will announce in his speech on Friday the construction by American troops of a temporary port to receive humanitarian aid to Gaza residents by sea, reports Reuters.
The facility would accommodate large ships carrying food, water, medical supplies, and temporary shelters.
Washington will work with European and regional partners and allies to build an international coalition of countries that would contribute capabilities and funds, the officials said.
Despite Israel increasing the number of trucks carrying humanitarian aid allowed into the besieged enclave and the US and other countries delivering aid by air, the volume of aid reaching Gaza is insufficient.
The temporary port would increase humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the war-battered enclave by hundreds of additional truckloads per day, the official said, adding that the US would coordinate security with Israel.
Officials said the planning and execution of the operation will take a few weeks and that US forces needed for it are in the region or will soon be moved there.
The US operation would build on a Cypriot government initiative, which calls for collecting humanitarian aid in the island's port city of Larnaca, 210 nautical miles from Gaza, the officials said.
That would permit Israeli officials to screen shipments before they are transported to Gaza.
Situation in Gaza
Hamas militants attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a ground military operation in the Gaza Strip at the end of October, which is ongoing. The country's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that the goal of the operation is the destruction of Hamas and the release of hostages.
On February 8, Netanyahu stated that a complete victory for the IDF is imminent. He also announced the readiness of the IDF to begin a ground invasion of the city of Rafah near the border with Egypt in the southern Gaza Strip.
Earlier, we reported that according to CIA Director William Burns, Israel and Hamas are close to a ceasefire.
By the way, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron asked Israeli Knesset member Benny Gantz to allow the delivery of additional aid to Gaza.
