US Secretary of State Blinken acknowledges progress in Gaza aid but insists more action is needed, pledging to address issues with Israeli officials.
The US Army ships have been joined by several other larger US Navy ships, and the group of vessels is expected to grow. The UK said it is sending a vessel to help with the effort.
The floating pier, through which the humanitarian aid will be transferred, is being built by the US and will be connected to the shore.
On Friday, United Nations experts demanded the safe passage of the flotilla and called on Israel to adhere to international law and orders of the ICJ to allow unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.
The US has started construction of a floating jetty on Gaza's Mediterranean coast that will enable aid deliveries pre-screened in Cyprus with Israeli oversight.
Egyptian delegation visits for ceasefire talks • Pentagon tracking mortar attack near planned US-Gaza aid stockpile zone • Cabinet approves foreign observers' visits to imprisoned terrorists
Ryder said it's important to highlight this occurred before any US forces started moving any supplies, and no US assets were damaged. It's unclear if any Israeli assets sustained damage.
Now that Gaza is bringing in over 500 trucks of aid per day from around four land crossings, according to Israeli officials, the island will not replace but complement the land aid efforts.
As four vessels make their way from Crete toward Cyprus and the coast of Israel, the project could begin in early May.
Biden created this position in the immediate aftermath of Hamas's attacks on October 7 to " lead US regional diplomacy to surge humanitarian aid to Gaza," Blinken said.
JPOST Digital Library
