Palestinians have labeled the temporary pier being built by the US on the shores of Gaza City as an “occupation port.” The initiative, announced by US President Joe Biden on March 7, aims to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, where Israel has severely restricted land-based aid access.
The US Defense Department projects the construction of the pier to take up to 60 days, after which it will enable the distribution of 2 million meals per day to Gaza’s populace. This development comes amid prolonged unaddressed Palestinian requests for equipment necessary for clearing debris from recent conflict, retrieving bodies, and aiding the injured.
In a significant move, Israel, supported by the US, has started clearing rubble from demolished structures in Gaza, utilizing it for the pier’s construction. Critics, including Palestinian political analyst Usame Abdulhadi, argue that the project’s true intent is to assert Israeli control over Gaza’s coastline, undermining Palestinian sovereignty and potentially facilitating the mass migration of Gazans.
Abdulhadi accuses the US and Israel of exploiting the guise of humanitarian aid to extend their control over part of Gaza’s coast, a claim that reflects broader concerns about the implications of the pier for the future of Palestinian governance and sovereignty in the enclave.
The backdrop to this development is a devastating conflict, with over 32,000 Palestinians killed and 75,000 injured following a military offensive by Israel. This has led to widespread displacement, infrastructure damage, and critical shortages, prompting accusations of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice, which has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and guaranteed humanitarian support to Gaza.–Editorial written by Zehra Nur Duz in Ankara (AA)