In a recent announcement, the Pentagon confirmed that the United States military has commenced the construction of a pier aimed at facilitating the delivery of vital aid to Gaza. The initiative comes amidst the backdrop of extensive damage inflicted on the small coastal territory by over six months of Israeli military actions against Hamas militants, leaving the civilian population in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder informed reporters that U.S. military vessels have initiated the initial phases of building a temporary pier and causeway at sea. This infrastructure will include an offshore platform for transferring aid from larger vessels to smaller ones, along with a pier for unloading cargo onto land.
President Joe Biden first disclosed plans for this project in early March, particularly as Israel’s restrictions hampered the ground delivery of aid. Notably, American officials emphasize that the endeavor will not involve deploying troops on the ground in Gaza. However, U.S. forces will work in close proximity to the troubled region as they construct the pier, with Israeli forces slated to provide security onshore.
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