U.S. officials have raised concerns about President Joe Biden’s innovative strategy to aid Gaza through the construction of a floating pier by the U.S. military. Despite Biden’s assurance of no U.S. military personnel setting foot in Gaza, the plan is seen as potentially putting U.S. troops at risk, as reported by NBC News.
The apprehensions stem from the logistical approach of the plan, which involves the absence of U.S. troops on Gazan soil. This necessitates the reliance on non-U.S. personnel to transport the aid between the U.S. military and Gaza, introducing a security vulnerability. “The risk of a bomb being secreted onto a truck with either a timer or a remote detonator, leading to a disaster, cannot be overlooked,” a U.S. military official disclosed to NBC News.
The current blueprint involves the U.S. Navy constructing a dock several miles off the Gazan shore. Civilian vessels would deliver aid to this dock, from where it would be loaded onto trucks, transferred to U.S. Army boats, and then ferried to a pier attached to Gaza’s shoreline, which the Army is also constructing.
Officials are contemplating employing drivers and security personnel from other countries to manage the transportation of aid from the pier to the mainland and back. However, the selection of these personnel remains undecided. Another consideration is the establishment of a security perimeter around Gaza, potentially overseen by the Israel Defense Forces. This, however, could delay the process and contradicts the original intent of Biden’s plan to circumvent the Israeli government, which, according to Biden administration officials, has not facilitated sufficient aid deliveries to Palestinians.
The floating pier initiative emerged amid criticism from progressives and Muslim Americans over U.S. support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas, which escalated following a terrorist attack by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 200 kidnappings. The backlash has included nationwide protests by progressives and calls from Muslim Americans for voter abstention in the upcoming November 2024 presidential election.
The concept of the floating dock was first made public by Biden during his State of the Union address on March 7, catching U.S. military officials by surprise. A Navy official emphasized in a recent briefing that the safety of the sailors involved is paramount, with a comprehensive safety plan currently in development.
This innovative approach to delivering aid to Gaza highlights the complexities and security challenges involved in international aid delivery, especially in conflict zones. The Biden administration’s efforts to navigate these challenges reflect a commitment to humanitarian assistance, underscored by the careful consideration of the safety of U.S. military personnel and the logistical hurdles of aid distribution.