Biden orders US military to set up temporary aid port for Gaza as famine threatens
==========

President Joe Biden has ordered the U.S. military to establish a temporary port off the coast of Gaza to deliver food and aid to Palestinian civilians affected by the Hamas-Israel war. The announcement was made during Biden's State of the Union speech, where he called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow more aid into Gaza and protect humanitarian workers. The move comes as the U.N. warns of near-famine conditions in Gaza and as efforts to reach a cease-fire before Ramadan appear stalled. The U.S. operation will likely take weeks to become operational and may involve the use of a floating pier. The U.S. is working with international partners, including Cyprus, to establish a maritime sea route for aid deliveries. The Biden administration's decision reflects frustration with Israel's response to calls for increased humanitarian access and protection for civilians in Gaza. The World Food Program reports that only one-fifth of the needed aid trucks entered Gaza in February. Critics argue that the temporary port is an expensive and inefficient solution to the crisis and that the U.S. should use its leverage to influence Israel's conduct in the war.

#Biden #UsMilitary #TemporaryAidPort #Gaza #Famine #Hamas-israelWar #BenjaminNetanyahu #HumanitarianAid #Cease-fire #Ramadan #MaritimeSeaRoute #Cyprus #WorldFoodProgram

https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-03-07-24-5657eedc005040694a9ab935ce3e39e5