A sea corridor to Gaza is set to open this weekend, with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announcing plans to boost aid to the territory. This comes in the wake of President Biden’s announcement that the US intends to construct a floating pier to Gaza’s shoreline, though this project may take up to 60 days to complete, according to the Pentagon.
The situation in Gaza is dire, with a quarter of the population on the brink of famine and children facing starvation, as reported by the United Nations. Aid delivery to Gaza has been challenging and risky, with the US and other countries resorting to air drops as a last resort due to the increasingly dire conditions.
The maritime corridor is seen as a critical lifeline to deliver much-needed aid to Gaza. While Israel has welcomed the initiative, there are concerns that the scale of aid delivery may not be sufficient to address the growing humanitarian crisis in the region. Aid agencies stress the need for more access and routes for aid delivery to Gaza.
President Biden’s plan to build a floating pier and provide two million meals a day to Gazans is seen as a significant step towards addressing the urgent humanitarian needs. However, there are concerns about the timeline for completion and the effectiveness of the aid delivery process.
Despite these challenges, efforts are underway to provide aid to Gaza and alleviate the suffering of its population. The international community is urged to continue supporting relief efforts and advocating for increased access to humanitarian aid in Gaza to prevent further escalation of the crisis.