Biden to announce "emergency mission" to build port in Gaza for aid shipments
President Biden will announce in his "State of the Union" speech on Thursday that he ordered the U.S. military to conduct an "emergency mission" to open up a maritime route for humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
Why it matters: The plan to establish a temporary port in Gaza is the most significant U.S. humanitarian initiative since the Israel-Hamas war began and shows the sense of urgency inside the White House over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- U.S. officials told reporters the temporary port will allow hundreds of trucks of aid to enter Gaza every day, though it will be at least a few weeks before it's operational.
Between the lines: The announcement is also a way for Biden to show to his critics inside the Democratic Party that he is taking more steps to address the crisis.
- "The president asked us to look into all options for getting more aid to Gaza and not wait for the Israelis," a senior U.S. official said.
Details: Aid will arrive at the temporary port via Cyprus, U.S. officials said in a briefing with reporters ahead of the State of the Union.
- The U.S. military will establish a temporary pier in the sea off the Gaza coast with a causeway that will allow trucks to bring aid to shore. National Security Council chief of staff Curtis Ried will head up the effort from the U.S. side.
- U.S. soldiers will take part in the construction, but from U.S. Navy vessels offshore. "The current plan doesn't include any U.S. boots on the ground in Gaza," a senior U.S. official said.
Efforts were already underway to coordinate shipments by sea but the biggest complication was the lack of a deep-water port to enable big ships to dock and off load aid.
- The aid will pass through security checks, with the involvement of Israeli security officials, to ensure it can't be used for military purposes.
- Cypriot officials tell Axios they had been discussing a maritime humanitarian route to Gaza from the port of Larnaca with the U.S. and other countries for months.
- An Israeli official told Axios Israel welcomes the initiative.
The announcement comes less than a week after the U.S. began airdropping aid into Gaza.
- Biden is facing growing pressure abroad and at home to do more to restrain Israel, encourage a ceasefire, and get more aid in Gaza. The UN has warned "famine is almost inevitable" in Gaza if nothing changes.
What to watch: Biden is pressing for a ceasefire and hostage deal before Ramadan begins this weekend.
Worth noting: U.S. officials said they want the temporary port to turn into a commercial port over time.