In the State of the Union Address Thursday, President Joe Biden is set to reveal plans for the U.S. military’s involvement in constructing a temporary maritime facility off the coast of Gaza. This initiative aims to boost the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the region amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Need for Maritime Expansion
The urgency for establishing a maritime aid corridor has increased in advance of President Biden’s State of the Union Address. Ursula von der Leyen, the European Union Commission Chief, is scheduled to visit Cyprus to examine facilities at the port of Larnaca, which could potentially serve as a departure point for Gaza-bound aid, should the sea route be established.
Tentative Israeli Support for Maritime Aid Corridor
Israeli authorities have expressed willingness to support this initiative, which has been under discussion for some time. U.S. General Erik Kurilla, the head of U.S. Central Command, disclosed to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee his briefing on the maritime option, including proposals to increase truck-delivered aid to northern Gaza.
Biden Concern About Displaced Palestinians, Broad Military Fronts by Israel, and Timeline for Ceasefire
Biden has expressed deep concern about the plight of millions of displaced migrants in Gaza and the need for aid, urging Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu to curtail his military offenses against Gaza to targeted and strategic fronts, and to work toward a ceasefire before the start of Ramadan, which is quickly approaching. The tension between world leaders had led to a perceived deterioration in the previously tight relationship.
U.S. Soldiers Will Not Maintain Physical Presence in Building Base
Administration officials indicated that a base for humanitarian aid would not necessitate American soldiers’ presence on the ground to erect the dock. This infrastructure is expected to facilitate increased imports of crucial supplies such as food and medical necessities.
Strategy for Humanitarian Aid Dock
The strategy for building the dock remains unspecified, though one official highlighted the U.S. military’s exceptional capabilities to execute tasks from a nearby offshore position. The proposed port is expected to serve as a conduit for aid shipments from Cyprus, facilitated by the U.S. military and its allies.
Ceasefire in Gaza Unlikely By Ramadan
Hamas officials have departed from Cairo, and discussions regarding a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages are slated to continue the following week. This timeline suggests that reaching an agreement before Ramadan is highly unlikely.
Ceasefire By Ramadan Could Avoid Layering Current Tensions Atop Seasonal Uptick in Hostilities
It was the hope of President Biden that the ceasefire agreement could be established prior to the Muslim holy days of Ramadan, as tensions always increase between Israel and its neighboring Arab nations during that period, and tensions are already dangerously high going into the season of Ramadan.
International Mediators Unable To Contract Six-Week Ceasefire, Will Continue Efforts
Efforts by international mediators to initiate a six-week ceasefire—which would allow for a significant increase in aid, alongside the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners by Israel—continue, despite challenges. The negotiations aim to address immediate crises and pave the way for a more enduring ceasefire, though differences in the terms and conditions between the involved parties persist.
Sticking Points in Ceasefire Negotiations
According to reports, Israel is reluctant to commit to certain ceasefire conditions including the rehousing of displaced persons and military withdrawal. According to PBS’s Nick Schifrin, Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire.
Progress in Negotiations, Still Unresolved
Schifrin’s contacts among U.S. Officials revealed that Israel would agree to a six-week ceasefire with a first round of release of 35-40 hostages. In turn, Israel would allow increased aid into Gaza and release Palestinian detainees. There are also sticking points regarding which hostages would be released by Hamas and which Palestinian detainees would be released by Israel.
U.S. Response to Humanitarian Situation in Gaza
The U.S. is reacting to the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with the northern regions facing acute hardships due to the prolonged conflict. The area has been significantly damaged, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Large Swaths of Northern Gaza Demolished By Prolonged Fighting, Insufficient for Aid
Over five months of conflict have severely impacted Gaza, controlled by Hamas, resulting in widespread destruction and a deepening humanitarian crisis. This has left many residents, particularly in the north, in desperate need of food.
Complex Calculus of Stakeholders Inhibits Efficient Aid Deliveries
The challenges in delivering aid across Gaza have been compounded by the need to coordinate with the Israeli military, ongoing conflicts, and the collapse of civil order. This initiative adds a new dimension to the complex dynamics of providing aid to Gaza, bypassing Israel, with whom the U.S. usually coordinates closely in the region.
U.S. Conducting Humanitarian Air Drops, Building Out Infrastructure For Increased Assistance
Recently, the U.S. military initiated aid drops into Gaza to alleviate the situation. Building out a plan to establish regular aid to Gaza amidst the conflict will offer more institutionalized relief to the displaced millions in Gaza.
