The first ship in a pilot program for delivering food and other humanitarian aid by sea to the Gaza Strip set sail earlier today from Cyprus, loaded with some 200 tons of food. The United States recently announced plans to build a pier near Gaza to deliver aid to the territory, where the Israel-Hamas war has driven hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to the brink of starvation. (AP)
Our Take
The planned sea route is yet another reflection of how politically costly the war in Gaza has become for the U.S. and President Joe Biden. Five months into the war, the Biden administration has been largely unable to rein in Israel’s military operations in Gaza and prevent Israel from obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid on the ground, which is less costly and more efficient than air or sea delivery. That has not only isolated the U.S. internationally, but driven a growing backlash against the president within his own Democratic Party domestically.
In fact, despite the U.S. delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza—starting last week by air and soon via the planned pier—the Biden administration has maintained its position of solidarity with Israel that it adopted immediately following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks.