US Launches Floating Pier Project in Gaza Amid Famine Warnings

The United States is set to complete a floating pier in Gaza by mid-May, aiming to deliver urgent humanitarian aid to half a million people facing famine in the war-torn region. The $320 million project, led by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), comes amidst warnings from UN officials that northern Gaza is experiencing "full-blown famine" after six months of conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Why this matters: The success of this project could set a precedent for innovative humanitarian aid delivery in conflict zones, and its failure could exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leading to further instability in the region.

Cindy McCain, American director of the UN World Food Program, stressed the dire situation, stating, "It's horror... There is famine, full-blown famine in the north, and it's moving its way south." The pier project aims to bring in food, including treatment for hundreds of thousands of starving children. USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced a $200 million investment to increase production of emergency nutritional paste for children under 5.

The US military is building the floating pier, which will be connected to the shore by a 550-meter causeway constructed by the Israeli Defense Forces. Despite temporary pauses due to high winds and sea swells,the projectis expected to be operational by early or mid-May. Aid will be loaded onto commercial ships in Cyprus, transferred to smaller vessels that will travel to the floating pier, and then loaded onto trucks for delivery to Gaza.

The project has sparked debate over whether it constitutes genuine aid or an occupation effort. Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya stated that Israeli forces stationed by the pier would be considered "an occupying force and aggression." Aid organizations have emphasized the need for increased aid delivery, with hundreds of trucks required to enter Gaza daily.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin acknowledged that while the region is a "combat zone," he sees no indication of Hamas planning to attack US troops involved in the project. Approximately 1,000 US Army and Navy military personnel are on site, with measures in place to ensure their safety. The Israeli military reported mortars launched in the area during construction on April 25, but no injuries were reported.

The Gaza Strip has been under siege since Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage. Over 34,000 Palestinians have been killed since the fighting began, with Gaza on the brink of famine due to Israeli restrictions on aid entry. The US and other nations have used air drops to send food, but aid delivery has been slow due to long backups at Israeli inspection points. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the completion of the floating pier offers a glimmer of hope for those in desperate need of assistance.

Key Takeaways

• US to complete floating pier in Gaza by mid-May to deliver humanitarian aid.
• $320 million project aims to help 500,000 people facing famine in war-torn region.
• Project could set precedent for innovative aid delivery in conflict zones.
• Aid will include food and treatment for hundreds of thousands of starving children.
• 1,000 US military personnel on site to ensure safety and security of aid delivery.