Biden to announce "emergency mission" to build port in Gaza for aid shipments

[Donkees]

President Biden will announce in his "State of the Union" speech on Thursday that he ordered the U.S. military to conduct an "emergency mission" to open up a maritime route for humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

The plan to establish a temporary port in Gaza is the most significant U.S. humanitarian initiative since the Israel-Hamas war began and shows the sense of urgency inside the White House over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The announcement is also a way for Biden to show to his critics inside the Democratic Party that he is taking more steps to address the crisis.

Aid will arrive at the temporary port via Cyprus, U.S. officials said in a briefing with reporters ahead of the speech.

Efforts were already underway to coordinate shipments by sea but the biggest complication was where ships would dock to offload supplies.

The announcement comes less than a week after the U.S. began airdropping aid into Gaza. Biden is facing growing pressure abroad and at home to do more to restrain Israel, encourage a ceasefire, and get more aid in Gaza. The UN has warned "famine is almost inevitable" in Gaza if nothing changes.

https://www.axios.com/2024/03/07/biden-port-gaza-humanitarian-aid-state-union

[JustAnotherGen]

1. Hamas is just going to blow it up

It's what they do.

[peggysue2]

7. If Hamas blows up these shipments, they'll . . .

destroy the propaganda leverage they've enjoyed during the crisis. If you're blowing up humanitarian aid for the whole world to see and witness, then you're proving you are, indeed, a terrorist organization, one that has no concern about the people you claim to govern.

[JustAnotherGen]

12. It's about the actual port

Not the shipments - the port itself. We are going to build a port.

You watch and see what Hamas does. IF we can get to a reasonable ceasefire - it would be worth it for a quick build and distribution. But I don't want our Military doing the distro for the last mile of delivery off the freight liner.

Hamas (Gaza political leadership) should have to prove to us how they will distribute the items to their people.

[sarisataka]

2. Will Hamas allow

American military personnel into Gaza?

[jimfields33]

5. My God! If one service person dies at the hands of Hamas....

[sarisataka]

9. Or if US forces were to kill someone repelling an attack...

While a wonderful humanitarian gesture, there is near a 100% chance one group or another will make an effort to attack American troops or ships.

[Goddessartist]

3. Excellent.

Thank you, Donkees.

[Donkees]

4. Biden will also announce the opening of a new land crossing ...

Biden will also announce the opening of a new land crossing into the occupied and devastated coastal strip. Biden has been fiercely criticised within his own party for the failure to open up Gaza to humanitarian aid, with a famine looming and 30,000 Palestinians dead already since the start of war on 7 October.

The Israelis will be able to conduct inspections of the aid shipments in Larnaca, administration officials said.

“We will coordinate with the Israelis on the security requirements on land and work with the UN and humanitarian NGOs on the distribution of assistance within Gaza,” a senior official said. “Initial shipments will come via Cyprus enabled by the US military and a coalition of partners and allies. This new significant capability will take a number of weeks to plan and execute. The forces that will be required to complete this mission there are either already in the region or will begin to move there soon.”

The White House said that the operation would not involve boots on the ground, as the port and its temporary pier could be built from off the coast.

“The concept that’s been planned involves the presence of US military personnel on military vessels offshore but does not require US military personnel to go ashore to instal the pier or causeway facility that will will allow the transportation and humanitarian assistance ashore,” a senior official said.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/07/biden-us-port-gaza-aid-delivery

[David__77]

6. Stop sending weapons.

[BannonsLiver]

8. Damned if he does damned if he doesn't

These responses are why the port and things like it are a waste of his time.

[David__77]

10. I suppose it depends on the motivation, whether it is a waste of time.

If it is basically a public relations action and not mainly supported due to its material impact, then yes it is a waste of time.

[BannonsLiver]

14. It doesn't matter either way

Those who have made this their cause Celebere won’t care what he does, they’ll just say he sent weapons and anything after that is null and void.

[JustAnotherGen]

13. My thought too

Watch Hamas blow it up. They want to kill Jewish human beings and are of the 'Death To America' ilk.

[redqueen]

11. The MIC is the boss of our politicians. Not the other way around

Sadly