Biden’s humanitarian aid or a strategic blockade? Unpacking the Gaza pier proposal.

Written by Elijah J. Magnier:

President Joe Biden has unveiled the beginnings of a plan that, on the surface, appears to be driven by humanitarian concerns. However, this seemingly benevolent strategy has the dual objective of securing Israel and crushing the Palestinian resistance in the aftermath of the Gaza conflict. This approach sets the stage, perhaps inadvertently, for the closure of most land crossings, particularly Rafah from Egypt into Gaza. The intention behind this manoeuvre is to thwart the clandestine transport of weapons and components critical to the Palestinians’ ability to manufacture their rockets and resist the occupation. The overall aim is to strengthen Israel’s national security and crush the Palestinians.

President Biden articulated in his address to Congress during the State of the Union that “the United States has been leading international efforts to get more humanitarian assistance into Gaza. I’m directing the US military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier in the Mediterranean on the Gaza coast that can receive large ships carrying food, water, medicine and temporary shelters. No US boots will be on the ground.”

Over five harrowing months, the conflict in Gaza has escalated into a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 30,000 people, the destruction of half a million homes and the commission of acts universally condemned as crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. Israel is currently being investigated by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for these actions. Amid this turmoil, Gaza has been plunged into deep suffering, facing severe electricity, fuel, water and food shortages as a result of the actions of the most immoral and reprehensible military force in the world. On the orders of its political leadership, this destructive and powerful force has subjected some two and a half million Palestinian civilians to conditions of starvation and despair.

Throughout this massacre, the United States has been criticised for its support of the Israeli army and for its inaction to stop the violence perpetrated by its ally, Israel, often referred to as a favoured nation. The US has also used its veto power three times in the last five months (bringing its total to 89 vetoes since 1945) to block ceasefire resolutions, prolonging Israeli hostilities. Despite the ongoing conflict and vocal calls for peace, the US continues to resist calls to end the war. It has proposed a temporary cessation of hostilities of 6 weeks only, a mere pause before fighting resumes and more lives are lost, rather than a permanent cessation of violence.