Biden Deploying U.S. Military to Provide Meals to Palestinians in Gaza
President Joe Biden has ordered the deployment of up to 1,000 U.S. troops to construct a temporary pier in Gaza. The goal is to facilitate the delivery of over 2 million meals per day to the citizens of Gaza, according to Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder.
The decision follows criticism from far-left Democrats and Muslim voters in the U.S. who expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceived as inadequate support for Palestinians in the aftermath of October 7 terrorist attacks orchestrated by Palestinian Islamic terrorists with Hamas. The attacks resulted in the tragic loss of 1,200 lives within Israel.
Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, speaking on Friday, explained that the “emergency mission to establish a temporary pier in Gaza” could be a lengthy process, potentially taking months, and involves the deployment of the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary from Joint Base Langley Eustis in Virginia.
The Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore (JLOTS) capability will be utilized to create an expeditionary pier offshore, enabling shipping vessels to transfer cargo to smaller vessels. These smaller vessels will then transport and offload cargo to a temporary causeway, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder emphasized that there would be “no U.S. forces on the ground in Gaza.” The planned concept involves U.S. military personnel on military vessels offshore, ensuring aid distribution without requiring personnel to go ashore. Ryder stated, “In terms of security on the ground, we’re continuing to plan and coordinate with partners in the region.”
Regarding aid distribution, Ryder mentioned ongoing coordination with ally and partner nations, the United Nations, and humanitarian non-governmental organizations.
Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr
