In his upcoming State of the Union address on Thursday, President Biden is expected to announce a plan that involves the U.S. military in establishing a temporary port on the Gaza coast. This move aims to enhance the flow of humanitarian aid to the war-torn territory during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

According to anonymous administration officials, the operation will not require American troops to be physically present on the ground for constructing the pier, which will facilitate the arrival of food, medicines, and other essential items. Instead, the U.S. military will utilize its unique capabilities to carry out the endeavor, potentially operating just offshore. Details regarding the construction of the pier have not been disclosed at this time.

The officials disclosed that the execution of the plan will take several weeks, with the initial shipments of aid originating from Cyprus. The Israel-Hamas war, which has already lasted for five months, has left significant parts of Gaza devastated, resulting in a worsening humanitarian crisis. Many Palestinians, especially those in the severely affected northern areas, are struggling to secure basic sustenance.

Aid organizations have faced immense difficulties in delivering supplies within most of Gaza due to challenges in coordinating with the Israeli military, continuing hostilities, and the breakdown of public order. Consequently, the United States has been compelled to bypass its main Middle East ally, Israel, and explore alternative methods to provide aid to Gaza, including recent airdrops.

"We're not waiting on the Israelis. This is a moment for American leadership. And we are building a coalition of countries to address this urgent need," stated a U.S. official speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Pressure has been mounting on Israel to establish a sea route for aid, prompting European Union Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen to undertake a visit to Cyprus on Friday to examine the port installations at Larnaca. If a sea route is established, aid is expected to depart from this location toward Gaza. Israeli officials have indicated their willingness to cooperate with the creation of a sea route from Cyprus, an idea that has been under discussion for several months.

Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of U.S. Central Command, briefed the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on the possibility of a maritime solution. He revealed that Central Command has presented options for increasing the number of trucks carrying aid to areas in northern Gaza.

International mediators had sought to alleviate the immediate crisis through a six-week cease-fire, which involved Hamas releasing Israeli hostages, Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners, and aid groups gaining access to provide substantial assistance to Gaza. Egyptian officials have reported that Hamas has agreed to the main terms of the agreement as a first stage but seeks assurances that it will eventually lead to a more permanent cease-fire. Israel, on the other hand, prefers to focus on a more limited agreement during negotiations.

Given the sensitive nature of the ongoing discussions, the officials spoke on the condition of anonymity. Mediators are urging both parties to soften their positions, and talks are expected to resume next week.

With Ramadan set to begin on Sunday, mediators had viewed this period as an informal deadline for reaching a deal, as clashes between Israelis and Palestinians often escalate during this time due to access issues related to a major holy site in Jerusalem. The war's consequences have already put the entire region on edge, with Iran-backed groups engaging in confrontations with Israel and the United States.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly stated his rejection of Hamas' demand for an end to the war, emphasizing Israel's intention to resume the offensive after any cease-fire and expand it to the densely populated city of Rafah in the south. He remains steadfast in his commitment to achieving "total victory" and believes that military pressure will eventually lead to the release of the hostages.

Hamas-led militants besieged the border on October 7, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, mostly civilians, and the capture of 250 others. Over the course of the war, Israel launched a massive air, land, and sea campaign in Gaza, forcing 80% of the population to flee their homes and pushing hundreds of thousands to the brink of famine.

According to Gaza's Health Ministry, at least 30,717 Palestinians have been killed, with the majority of casualties being women and children. While the ministry's figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants, they align with the tallies reported by the United Nations and independent experts. Israel claims to have eliminated over 13,000 Hamas fighters but has yet to provide evidence. The Israeli government attributes the high civilian death toll to Hamas' practice of operating within densely populated residential areas.

Gaza's humanitarian crisis is especially dire in the north, where an estimated 300,000 residents are resorting to consuming animal fodder to survive. The United Nations reports that one out of every six children under the age of two in the northern region suffers from acute malnutrition.

President Biden's announcement of the U.S. military's involvement in establishing a temporary port in Gaza aims to alleviate the suffering of the populace by facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid. This step adds another layer to the ongoing efforts to address the urgent needs in Gaza and underscores American leadership in tackling this crisis.