New Delhi: Joe Biden orders to build a sea corridor to promote relief work in Gaza. Steps are being taken in view of increasing hunger in Gaza.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen says a sea corridor to boost relief efforts in Gaza could open by the end of this week. The statement of the head of the European Commission has come when US President Joe Biden has given a statement a day earlier that America has planned to build a floating pier on the coast of Gaza.
On one hand, the head of the European Union says that the sea corridor can start by the end of this week, while on the other hand, the US Defense Ministry Pentagon has said on Friday that it may take 30 to 60 days to be built.
According to NY Times news website, ‘The project could take more than 30 to 60 days, according to officials, and would involve hundreds or thousands of U.S. troops on ships just off shore, in keeping with Mr. Biden’s mandate that no American soldiers be on the ground in Gaza as the conflict rages. Briefing reporters, administration officials said that the port would be constructed in cooperation with other countries in the region.
American officials said that they “worked closely” with Israelis as they developed the seaport initiative, but they did not specify whether Israel would provide direct assistance or support for its construction or operation.
Jamie McGoldrick, the top U.N. relief official in Jerusalem, said a maritime corridor could help the hunger crisis in Gaza but would not be a replacement for opening more overland routes for trucks.
It is becoming very difficult to send help to the Gaza Strip at this time. Friday’s report said that 5 people died due to air-dropped aid material.
According to BBC Hindi news, a joint statement by the European Commission, Cyprus, the US, Britain and the United Arab Emirates said that operating the sea corridor would be complex. Will continue to press Israel to expand relief efforts by road and facilitate more routes and open additional crossings.
Britain’s Foreign Minister David Cameron has said that we are continuously requesting Israel to allow more trucks into Gaza, so that aid can be delivered faster to the needy people.
Israel has welcomed this initiative and urged other countries to join it. Israel’s foreign spokesman said, “Aid will be given after security checks according to Israeli standards.”
