In a bid to alleviate the suffering of Gaza's starving population, the United States Central Command has undertaken the construction of a floating pier off the coast of Gaza. The project, known as Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS), aims to facilitate the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to the devastated strip.

Images released by the US military show construction crews from multiple military vessels working diligently to build the temporary pier at sea. Additionally, a satellite image from Planet Labs captures the ongoing construction progress.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh revealed that the construction of the floating pier will cost approximately $320 million. This estimate includes all expenses associated with the initial construction of JLOTS, with anticipated operational costs expected to rise in the coming months.

A senior military official stated that the United States is on track to begin delivering humanitarian assistance to Gaza from the sea in early May. Initially, the delivery will consist of the equivalent of 90 trucks per day, eventually scaling up to 150 trucks per day once full operational capacity is achieved. However, President Joe Biden has made it clear that there will be no US boots on the ground in Gaza.

To anchor the causeway to the shore in Gaza, the United States will be partnering with the Israel Defense Forces. The British Navy support ship RFA Cardigan Bay is also en route from Cyprus to aid in the establishment of the temporary pier, providing accommodation for hundreds of US sailors and soldiers involved in the construction process.

Once the pier is operational, the World Food Programme (WFP) will support the distribution of aid, while USAID will collaborate with the United Nations to ensure effective distribution within Gaza. The goal is to eventually transform the floating pier into a full-time commercial operation that can be utilized by other countries and non-governmental organizations.

The urgency for the pier's construction stems from the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) states that all 2.2 million people in Gaza do not have enough food to eat, with half the population on the brink of starvation. Reports indicate that famine is imminent if aid efforts are not intensified.

Continuous concerns have been raised over an impending Israeli military operation in southern Gaza's Rafah, further exacerbating the need for uninterrupted aid flow. Israel's allies, including the US, have expressed their reservations about the potential for civilian casualties. Recent Israeli airstrikes have already claimed the lives of 22 individuals, including an infant and a toddler.

While there has been some progress in delivering aid to Gaza, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasizes that it is still insufficient to address the dire humanitarian crisis. Human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern over Israel's restrictive measures on aid deliveries, resulting in a trickle of relief supplies into the strip compared to the pre-war flow of 500 trucks daily.

Negotiations for a ceasefire and a possible hostage exchange are currently underway, with Egypt proposing a new framework to Hamas. The framework suggests the release of up to 33 hostages kidnapped from Israel in exchange for a temporary halt in hostilities in Gaza. Hamas is set to meet with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo for further discussions.

As the construction of the floating pier progresses, hopes are high that it will serve as a lifeline for the people of Gaza, providing much-needed assistance in their time of desperation.