Satellite Photos Show New Port Construction In Gaza Strip For US-Led Aid Operation

 The construction of a new port in the Gaza Strip, in preparation for a U.S. military-led operation to deliver essential food and relief to the besieged enclave during Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas, is currently under progress. This information is based on the analysis of satellite pictures conducted by The Associated Press on Thursday.

Based on the photographs, it is evident that the construction has been progressing rapidly in the past two weeks. According to certain officials, the port may be ready for use within a week.

times – VOR News Image

Satellite Photos Show New Port Construction In Gaza Strip For US-Led Aid Operation

The port is located in the southwestern part of Gaza City, which used to be the most densely populated sector in the territory. However, due to the Israeli ground offensive, over 1 million Palestinians were displaced and moved south towards the town of Rafah, which is situated on the Egyptian border. The development of the project occurs while Israel is being heavily criticized internationally for the sluggish distribution of aid in the region. According to the United Nations, a minimum of 25% of the population is in imminent danger of hunger.

Nevertheless, the Israeli military has reported that the facility has already been subjected to a militant mortar bombardment. A representative from the Hamas militant organization, which has governed Gaza since 2007, has cautioned that any foreign military presence at the dock would be susceptible to attack. This may potentially create additional challenges for the relief operations.

The satellite imagery captured by Planet Labs PBC reveals that significant construction activity commenced at the location more than a fortnight ago. The location is located to the north of a road that divides Gaza, which was constructed by the Israeli forces during the conflict.

An anonymous U.N. official stated that the port is located precisely at the terminus of the newly constructed road by the IDF. The official employed an initialism for the Israeli military.

A photograph captured by Planet Labs a week ago revealed the presence of substantial vehicles and machinery, while a more recent image obtained on Wednesday showed that the cleared area had expanded further. A soil embankment acts as a barrier between the area and the adjacent buildings. Additional information corresponds to a visual representation of the help pier observed by the AP.

According to the U.N. official, the port is expected to be divided into three zones. The first zone will be under Israeli control and will be used for dropping off aid from the pier. The second zone will be designated for transferring the aid. The third zone will be where Palestinian drivers, contracted by the U.N., will wait to collect the aid and transport it to distribution points.

However, the official stated that there are still some unresolved issues about the Israeli approach to the security of the port. According to reports, the military is actively pursuing the installation of remotely controllable gun positions, a move that the United Nations is opposing.

AP – VOR News Image

Satellite Photos Show New Port Construction In Gaza Strip For US-Led Aid Operation

According to Israeli officials, Israel will be involved in ensuring the security of the pier and transferring a portion of the supplies from the pier to the coast. However, the exact level of Israel’s intended participation is yet uncertain. Several Israeli government departments failed to provide comments in response to questions regarding the port.

By the end of next week, the pier’s construction will be complete, and as a result, the shipments of aid will resume, according to an anonymous high-ranking official from the Cyprus government who spoke to the AP. The official did not provide a specific timeframe for the commencement of shipments.

Navy personnel have verified, by vessel tracking systems, that the USNS Benavidez, an American cargo ship transporting a significant amount of the heavier equipment required for pier construction, is currently located off the coast of Gaza. Additional naval vessels are present or currently en route to that location.

The dock was subjected to an attack on Wednesday, while four senior U.N. officials were present at the location, causing significant concerns, according to the U.N. official. The military reported that the mortar bombardment initiated by Gaza terrorists compelled the authorities to seek refuge. Nevertheless, no casualties or injuries were incurred.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility from any militant group for the attack.

Nevertheless, Khalil al-Hayya, a prominent Hamas political figure, has stated that if Israeli soldiers or forces from any other nation were deployed at the pier to provide security, Hamas would perceive them as an invading force and an act of aggression.

AP – VOR News Image

Satellite Photos Show New Port Construction In Gaza Strip For US-Led Aid Operation

The port has the potential to significantly impact the situation, as increasing the flow of supplies into Gaza through land crossings has been difficult due to the lengthy queues of vehicles awaiting Israeli inspections. Previous attempts to acquire land via maritime routes were unsuccessful following an assault on a World Central Kitchen convoy transporting aid from a port to a warehouse in central Gaza, resulting in the tragic deaths of seven humanitarian workers.

Nations have resorted to employing the technique of airdropping assistance from the atmosphere, a measure that humanitarian organizations consider as a final option due to its limitations in delivering substantial amounts of relief and its association with fatalities.

SOURCE – (AP)