Nearly 34,200 people have died in the Israeli offensive against the Palestinian enclave controlled by Hamas. The United States announced on Tuesday that they will soon begin construction of a temporary port to supply aid to Gaza. This comes as Israel’s restrictions on delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza have left the Palestinian population without reserves, leading to starvation and disease on top of the casualties from bombings.
Pentagon spokesman General Patrick Ryder stated that all necessary ships are in the Mediterranean region and ready to start construction when given the order. Ryder emphasized the need for coordination with partners who will support the initiative. He explained that American ships will transport aid to the dock, and then it will be loaded into non-military trucks belonging to humanitarian NGOs.
The announcement of a temporary port is a welcome development for Palestinians living in Gaza, who have been suffering from shortages of basic necessities such as food, water, and medicine for years. The situation has become even more dire since Israel launched its offensive against Hamas last week, which has resulted in widespread destruction and displacement of people from their homes. The international community has condemned Israel’s actions and called for an immediate ceasefire, but so far there has been no response from Israel.