Israel ramps up attacks in Gaza as US plans to deliver aid by sea

Middle East, News March 10, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

A recent attack by the Israeli forces at Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp and a residential tower in Rafah resulted in at least 13 deaths on March 9, 2024. The ramp-up in Israeli attacks on Gaza comes despite the ceasefire calls and requests to open aid delivery channels.

The U.S. and other Western countries are proposing sending humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea to tackle the menacing crisis in the region. During his State of the Union speech last week, U.S. President Joe Biden said that he was directing the U.S. military to lead an emergency mission to set up a temporary port off Gaza’s Mediterranean coast to receive ships carrying food, water, medicine, and temporary shelters.

Planning for the operation, which is initially to be based in Cyprus, does not envision the deployment of U.S. military personnel in Gaza. “No U.S. boots will be on the ground,” Biden said clarifying that the U.S. forces would only participate in providing aid in Gaza.

The U.S. has already carried out at least five airdrop operations in Gaza, delivering nearly 41,500 meals and 23,000 bottles of water. However, the efficacy and logistical costs associated with the airdrop operation are too high for the U.S. and other European countries to manage.

In the latest airdrop operation at Al Shati camp in the west of Gaza City, at least five people were killed and 10 others injured when airdropped aid packages fell on residents after parachute failure.

Israeli soldiers prepare to enter Gaza — *^{Israeli soldiers prepare to enter the Gaza Strip as the military conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas intensifies. (Image Credit: Reuters/Ronen Zvulun)}*

The President of the European Commission also supported the preparation of a maritime aid corridor that could potentially commence operations between Cyprus and Gaza over the upcoming weekend. Ursula von der Leyen, the Commission President, mentioned that a trial run of food aid, coordinated by a charitable organization and backed by the United Arab Emirates, might depart from Cyprus as soon as Friday.

“We are initiating this Cyprus maritime corridor collectively, with the participation of the European Union, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States,” she remarked following her visit to facilities in Larnaca, Cyprus.

According to some reports, a vessel carrying humanitarian aid bound for the Gaza’s territory is readying to depart from Cyprus. A U.S.-based charity said it was loading aid onto a boat in Cyprus, which will be the first shipment to Gaza along a maritime corridor the European Commission hopes will open this week. Israel has so far not given its stance over the preparation of the maritime corridor for aid deliveries.

Meanwhile, efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas are still ongoing, as stated by Israel’s intelligence agency, the Mossad.

The Mossad chief, David Barnea, held discussions on March 8 with his American counterpart, CIA director William Burns, to advance negotiations for the release of hostages, as stated in a statement distributed by Netanyahu’s office. “Contacts and cooperation with the mediators continue all the time in an effort to narrow the gaps and reach agreements,” the statement said.