New international efforts to get humanitarian aid to Gaza

A maritime corridor, a temporary pier, resuming aid through UNRWA: all avenues are being explored as Israel seeks to dismantle the UN aid agency because of Hamas infiltration.

US President Joe Biden is launching an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier on the Gaza coast to deliver humanitarian aid.

The plan, announced in the State of the Union address, is one of several avenues being explored as the international community becomes increasingly concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The United Nations Human Rights Office says 1.9 million people have been displaced out of a population of 2.3 million and there is massive scarcity of food, water, medicines, tents and other necessities.

Israel is pressing ahead with plans to invade Rafah, the last relatively safe place for civilians in Gaza. Biden this week described Rafah as a “red line” for the US. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded that his “red line” was to ensure October 7 never happens again.

The Biden plan could deliver two million meals a day to Gaza, but US authorities say a pier will take at least a month, maybe two, to build.

A new maritime corridor transporting aid from Cyprus to Gaza is close to beginning operation, in an initiative of the European Union, the US and the UAE.

A trial run of food aid is planned for this Friday and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the corridor could be operational by next weekend.

Jordan and the US have begun air drops of food, but air drops are an inefficient way to supply aid, delivering low volume at high cost and with no guarantee supplies will reach those most in need.