At least eight people have been killed in an Israeli airstrike on buildings in central Gaza, as reported by Palestinian health officials. This incident occurred amidst efforts by American officials to broker a ceasefire deal involving the return of hostages held by Hamas before the start of Ramadan. However, President Joe Biden has expressed skepticism about the likelihood of such an agreement.
In Gaza, the United Nations has issued a warning that four out of five households lack access to safe drinking water. In response, the White House has announced plans for the U.S. to collaborate with other nations in sending humanitarian aid to Gaza. The aid will be transported from Cyprus into Gaza via a maritime corridor, with the U.S. constructing a floating pier and causeway along the Mediterranean coast of Gaza.
The U.S. is currently airdropping aid into Gaza and anticipates that building the pier could take up to two months, potentially involving around 1,000 U.S. troops. This move raises questions about the influence the U.S. holds over Israel, given Israel's reluctance to heed U.S. calls to open more border crossings for aid delivery.
While airdrops are a temporary solution, establishing a maritime corridor with a pier and causeway could facilitate more efficient aid delivery. However, challenges remain in coordinating the logistics of moving supplies from larger ships to smaller vessels, then onto the floating pier and finally onto trucks for distribution.
Concerns also arise regarding security measures for aid convoys, as well as the safety of personnel involved in constructing and maintaining the causeway and pier. The potential risks faced by American troops in Gaza have led the U.S. administration to rule out deploying boots on the ground, opting instead to engage a contracting company to oversee the maritime corridor project.
The complexity of the operation, including the need for security provisions and ongoing maintenance of the causeway and pier, underscores the intricate challenges involved in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza amidst ongoing conflict and security threats.
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