WASHINGTON — Relief is now one big step closer to reality.
After weeks of preparation, security planning, and weather delays, the U.S. military finished installing a floating causeway to the beach in Gaza on Thursday.
In a news release, U.S. Central Command emphasized that "no U.S. troops entered Gaza."
The Joint Logistics, Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) humanitarian aid corridor is now in place and will begin funneling "hundreds of tons" of supplies to civilians in the region "in the coming days."
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On Friday, U.S. Central Command announced, "trucks carrying humanitarian assistance began moving ashore via a temporary pier in Gaza."
"The purpose of this temporary pier is to deliver critical humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people," said Department of Defense Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, during a news conference at the Pentagon on Thursday.
A floating pier built by U.S. forces in Gaza to provide humanitarian aid
The plan is to get aid to Gaza's 2.2 million people, following seven months of intense fighting in the Israel-Hamas war. President Joe Biden ordered the Defense Department to deploy the JLOTS capability back in March.
Soldiers from the Fort Eustis-based 7th Transportation Brigade answered the call. The Pentagon says about 1,000 U.S. soldiers and sailors were instrumental in delivering and building the structure.
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Security remains a top concern.
"This is a mission to get humanitarian aid into Gaza and an attack on those dedicated to this mission would jeopardize the life-saving aid needed for the Palestinian people," said Singh.
There are two U.S. Navy warships nearby in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The guided-missile destroyers USS Arleigh Burke and USS Paul Ignatius are equipped with a wide range of weapons to protect American troops offshore and allies on the beach.