The US military has finished constructing a floating pier in the Gaza Strip, aiming to facilitate the delivery of crucial humanitarian aid to the area. The project comes amidst the prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has left Gaza residents in dire need of assistance.

The initiative was prompted by President Joe Biden's order over two months ago to aid Palestinians facing food shortages due to blockades, particularly after Israel seized control of the Rafah border crossing. This move hindered the flow of essential supplies into Gaza, exacerbating an already dire situation.

While the pier installation aims to increase aid access, it is not a substitute for land-based deliveries, which aid agencies consider more sustainable and cost-effective. The aid will be transported to a designated port facility southwest of Gaza City by boat and then distributed by humanitarian organizations.

US troops will not directly enter Gaza due to security concerns, but they will oversee the aid delivery process. Despite ongoing fighting near Gaza's borders, Pentagon officials assert that the new aid distribution area remains secure.

Israeli forces will manage security at the port, supported by two US Navy warships stationed nearby in the Mediterranean Sea. These measures aim to safeguard personnel and aid shipments from potential threats.

The first cargo shipment, carrying food supplies, has already departed from Cyprus to rendezvous with a US military vessel stationed off the Gaza coast. However, adverse weather conditions delayed the installation of the pier and causeway for nearly two weeks.

Initial aid deliveries will be gradual to ensure operational efficiency, starting with 90 truckloads per day via the sea route. However, aid agencies stress the need for more extensive efforts, including the opening of land corridors, to address the looming humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

President Biden's directive to establish the temporary pier underscores the urgency of the situation, as food shipments have faced delays at land crossings due to Israeli restrictions and escalating violence.

Under the new sea route, aid will undergo inspection and security checks in Cyprus before being transported to Gaza. Once in Gaza, aid will be transferred onto trucks and distributed onshore by humanitarian groups.

The project, estimated to cost at least $320 million, covers equipment transportation, pier construction, and aid delivery operations. It represents a collaborative effort between the US military, international agencies, and local authorities to provide essential support to the people of Gaza amidst a challenging humanitarian situation.

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