A floating American dock, specifically engineered for the influx of food supplies and aid into the Gaza Strip, is expected to commence operations within the coming days, according to Israeli media reports.
The Hebrew newspaper, “Zaman Israel,” noted that construction of the floating pier is nearing completion, with approximately six U.S. Navy ships and another commercial vessel already en route to Gaza’s shores.
The Israeli publication confirmed that the dock’s construction and the beginning of its operations are anticipated by early May. It is projected that around 150 food trucks’ worth of aid will be delivered daily into Gaza through this new route.
The Hebrew paper also revealed details about the aid ship “Jennifer,” which, despite not being owned by the United States, departed from Cyprus on Friday night and arrived in the Ashdod area the following evening.
The ship, flying under the flag of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, is part of the World Central Kitchen’s food transport project.
Following an incident on April 1, where seven organization staff were killed by Israeli army gunfire, the “Jennifer” immediately returned to Cyprus and remained there throughout the past month.
In related news, the Cypriot News Agency reported yesterday that the ship had sailed with its cargo after inspections were conducted in Cyprus.
Among the items onboard were dry food supplies, rice, pasta, and medical equipment.
According to the food transport plan for Gaza, the port of Larnaca in Cyprus will serve as the starting point for a maritime corridor from which commercial ships loaded with goods will soon sail to aid Gaza’s residents.
These vessels will be inspected in Larnaca in cooperation with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Cypriot government.
For several weeks, U.S. military officials have been discussing with their Israeli counterparts how to manage the distribution of food and supplies from the moment they are unloaded from ships to their placement on the floating pier.
At a Pentagon press conference on Thursday, government officials confirmed to CNN reporters that the distribution of food supplies within Gaza would be managed by USAID in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme.
