Report: Israel agrees to provide security for US in Gaza pier construction

[JOE BIDEN]

I’M DIRECTING THE U.S. MILITARY TO LEAD AN EMERGENCY MISSION TO ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY PIER IN THE MEDITERRANEAN ON THE COAST OF GAZA.

[RYAN ROBERTSON]

THAT WAS PRESIDENT BIDEN BACK DURING HIS STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS…FAST FORWARD A FEW WEEKS AND DESPITE BEING AT ODDS OVER A CEASEFIRE, ISRAEL IS AGREEING TO PROVIDE A SO-CALLED “SECURITY BUBBLE” FOR THE U.S. PIER PROJECT OFF OF THE COAST OF GAZA, AIMED AT HELPING PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED HUMANITARIAN AID.

OFFICIALS FAMILIAR WITH THE PLANS BROKE THE NEWS TO POLITICO.

HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW:

ISRAELI DEFENSE FORCES WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SECURING THE PIER TO THE BEACH.

BUT IT’S STILL IN THE PLANNING STAGES, NOTHING IS ENTIRELY SETTLED YET.

A SPOKESPERSON DID CONFIRM THE IDF WILL BE QUOTE:

“COORDINATING WITH THE U.S. MILITARY TO FACILITATE THE PROJECT” BUT DIDN’T GET INTO DETAILS BEYOND THAT.

THE PIER IS NEEDED FOR GAZANS, WHO THE U.N. SAYS ARE FACING “IMMINENT FAMINE” AS THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR CONTINUES

ONCE THE PIER IS COMPLETE, IT WILL BE USED TO DELIVER MORE THAN TWO MILLION MEALS PER DAY.

THE U.S. SAYS IT WILL BE A BETTER WAY TO DELIVER AID. ESPECIALLY IN THE WAKE OF DEADLY INCIDENTS INVOLVING AIR DROPPED SUPPLIES.

TWELVE PALESTINIANS DROWNED OFF THE NORTHERN GAZA COAST TRYING TO REACH AIRDROPPED PARCELS WHICH LANDED IN THE SEA.

ANOTHER FIVE PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN A SEPARATE AIR DROP, WHEN A PARACHUTE FAILED TO DEPLOY PROPERLY.

THE PIER WOULD END THE NEED FOR THOSE AIR DROPS.

BUT IT’S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME.

ONCE CONSTRUCTION BEGINS, IT WILL TAKE TWO MONTHS TO COMPLETE. 

WHEN FINISHED, IT WILL BE A FLOATING PIER THREE-TO-FIVE MILES OFF SHORE.

AN 1800 FOOT CAUSEWAY ANCHORED TO THE BEACH WILL BE USED BY SHIPS TO OFFLOAD AID ONTO THE PIER.

AFTER THAT, TRUCKS WILL TAKE IT AND DISTRIBUTE IT INTO GAZA.

IN ORDER TO INSURE THIS GETS DONE IN A TIMELY FASHION, OR DONE AT ALL, WORKERS ARE GOING TO NEED TO BE KEPT SAFE.

THAT’S WHERE ISRAEL COMES IN, 

BUT THE WAY IN WHICH THE IDF WILL PROVIDE SECURITY OR “SECURE” THE PIER, IS STILL A MYSTERY.

BECAUSE OF THAT, LAWMAKERS HAVE SOME SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS WILL GO. 

REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN MIKE ROGERS OF ALABAMA ACCUSED PRESIDENT BIDEN OF BEING POLITICALLY MOTIVATED TO BUILD THE PIER. 

HE CITED A PROTEST VOTE IN MICHIGAN’S DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, IN WHICH A LARGE SWATH OF VOTERS WROTE IN “UNCOMMITTED,” BECAUSE OF U.S. SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL’S MILITARY EFFORTS, PUSHING BIDEN TO MOVE QUOTE “REALLY FAST” ON THE PIER.

ROGERS SAYS HE WANTS MORE ANSWERS, AND SO DO DEMOCRATS.

THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS NO AMERICAN TROOPS WILL BE ON THE GROUND TO BUILD THE PIER. 

WHEN ASKED HOW THAT WOULD HAPPEN, SPECIFICS WERE NOT GIVEN. 

THE PENTAGON SAYS THE U.S. MILITARY HAS “UNIQUE CAPABILITIES” AND CAN DO THINGS FROM JUST “OFFSHORE”