US Mulls Private Sea Operation For Gaza Ahead Of Military Port
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
GAZA CITY/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – The United States was rushing Tuesday to get aid by sea into wartorn Gaza, with officials saying Washington may ask allies to fund a privately run aid operation ahead of a much larger US military effort.
The plan could see large amounts of food and other supplies arriving “within weeks,” much faster than the 60 days it to takes make the U.S. military’s pier system operational, said sources familiar with the discussions.
While Washington prioritizes the military’s plan, the commercial project could complement that effort by providing support onshore in Gaza.
U.S. President Joe Biden has officially ruled out allowing American troops inside Gaza, even as they build the pier system.
Biden has come under pressure from within his Democratic Party to distance himself from the policies of Israel.
The Israeli government says it is waging war against Hamas since the Islamic group killed 1,200 people on March 7 in Israel, including raped women and minors.
AID BY SEA
Biden hopes by providing aid by sea, the suffering of innocent Palestinians will ease as air droppings have been unable to fill the gap.
The United Nations has warned that widespread famine in the Gaza Strip is “almost inevitable” without urgent action.
A formal conclusion that famine has arrived in the coastal enclave of 2.3 million people could come this week.
Israeli military officials deny that there is famine in Gaza and add that hunger experienced by people is a result of actions by Hamas, which is reportedly keeping much aid for its forces or selling it at prohibitively high prices at markets.
United States sources familiar with aid efforts but asking to remain anonymous told reporters that the commercial option for aid to Gaza by sea could become operational in “28 days” or “a month” once funded
The plan would bring aid to Gaza aboard tug-boat pushed barges and then employ a crane to lift containers onto the enclave’s shore.
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