America will deliver relief material to Gaza by sea route, UN agency will help
The US Agency for International Development confirmed that it will partner with WFP to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza via the sea corridor. This is a complex operation that requires coordination between multiple partners, and our conversations are ongoing.
Image Credit Source: CENTCOM
America has intensified efforts to supply essential humanitarian aid to Gaza via sea. The United Nations has agreed to help deliver aid to starving Gazans by sea, officials said Friday. The involvement of the UN agency can help solve the major obstacles facing the US.
Seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen were killed in an Israeli military strike on April 1, sparking international criticism of Israel for failing to protect humanitarian workers or allow substantial amounts of aid across its borders. Went.
Construction of temporary pier and causeway
President Joe Biden, who himself is facing criticism over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while supporting Israel's military campaign against Hamas, announced on March 8 that US forces would use temporary ferries and paved roads as an alternative to land routes. Will build.
The US Agency for International Development confirmed that it will partner with WFP to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza via the sea corridor. This is a complex operation that requires coordination between multiple partners, and our conversations are ongoing.
Fair assistance
USAID said that throughout Gaza, the safety of humanitarian aid is critical to the delivery of aid and we continue to advocate for measures that will provide greater assurance to humanitarians. The agency said that US and WFP officials are working on how to deliver aid to Palestinian citizens in an independent, neutral, and impartial manner.
There was no immediate comment from WFP, and a WFP spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israel promised to open more border crossings into Gaza and increase the flow of aid after its drone strikes killed seven aid workers who were delivering food to the Palestinian territory.
Hamas attacked Israel
Let us tell you that on October 7 last year, Hamas terrorists attacked Southern Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 others were taken hostage. The Israeli offensive in Gaza, aimed at destroying Hamas, caused widespread destruction and killed more than 33,800 people, according to local health officials. Hundreds of UN and other humanitarian workers were among those killed in Israeli strikes.
International officials say there is famine in northern Gaza, where 70 percent of the people are facing severe hunger. The US military is building a modular causeway as part of the sea route, in hopes of speeding up deliveries to the people of Gaza.
Delivery of over 2 million meals
Several Army ships and Military Sealift Command ships are already in the Mediterranean, working to prepare and build platforms and piers. The pier is expected to be 1,800 feet (550 m) long with two lanes. The Pentagon has said it can accommodate the delivery of more than 2 million meals a day to Gaza residents.
Army Col. Sam Miller, commander of the 7th Transportation Brigade, which is in charge of building the pier, said about 500 of his soldiers will participate in the mission. In total, Pentagon officials have said about 1,000 US troops will be involved.
Ghat construction work halted
Pentagon press secretary, Air Force Major General Pat Ryder, told reporters this week that the US is on track to implement the system by the end of this month or early May. Actual construction of the pier was halted as US and international officials reached agreements for the collection and distribution of aid.
He said the US is making progress and Israel has agreed to provide security on the coast. The White House has made clear that there will be no US troops on the ground in Gaza, so they will not be delivering aid to the coast while the pier elements are built. US Navy ships and Army ships will provide security to the US forces constructing the pier.