USA (Transatlantic Today) – US official sources have reported the completion of a dock in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Gaza, by US military engineers. This construction aims to expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid to the coastal enclave.
Project Named Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS)
The project, dubbed Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS), comprises two docks. One is a floating dock where ships loaded with aid will be moored, while the other, named Trident or the “causeway,” will facilitate the transportation of supplies to land by trucks.
Awaiting Final Movement Offshore
According to Sabrina Singh Pentagon’s deputy press secretary, the two parts of the JLOTS project have been finished and are awaiting final transfer offshore to a location off Gaza. This idea comes amid concerns about a humanitarian calamity caused by the current fighting between Israel and the Islamic party Hamas.
Current Status and Operations
According to Aurora, the current unstable weather conditions in the Mediterranean have delayed the placement of the docks in their final location. As a result, they are floating in the sea off the coast of Israel, near the port of Ashdod, approximately 18 miles (29 km) north of Gaza.
Meanwhile, the US-registered cargo ship “MV Sagamore” is docked in the port of Cyprus to be loaded with humanitarian aid supplies. These supplies will then be unloaded at the temporary dock in Gaza.
Aid Distribution Plan
Upon arrival at the dock, the aid will be unloaded onto trucks aboard other U.S. military-owned landing ships and logistical support vessels. Initially, around 90 truckloads of supplies are expected to transit the dock each day and reach Gaza. Once the operation reaches full capacity, up to 150 trucks will be able to deliver humanitarian aid to the strip daily.
Complementary Initiative
While acknowledging the significant capacity of the JLOTS system, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh emphasized that it is not the sole or best way to bring necessary supplies to Gaza. She reiterated the importance of opening land routes for aid delivery and stated that the JLOTS project serves as a complementary measure.
Challenges Along Gaza Border
The Gaza Strip, entirely within Israel, shares a border with Egypt to the south. There are three border crossings where humanitarian supplies could enter Gaza: Erez and Kerem Shalom bordering Israel, and Rafah bordering Egypt. However, these crossings have occasionally faced closures due to conflicts involving Israeli forces and Palestinian groups.
Recent Developments
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently decided to reopen the Kerem Shalom crossing for access to humanitarian aid after it was closed for several days following an attack by the Palestinian military troop Hamas. The attack resulted claimed the lives of four Israeli soldiers.
Humanitarian Missions
Since March 2, the US Central Command, in collaboration with the Royal Jordanian Air Force, has carried out over 40 humanitarian operations. These operations sought to airdrop over 1,200 tons of humanitarian aid into Gaza during the continuing fighting.
