Mortar Attack on US-Israeli Aid Operation Highlights Gaza’s Hazardous Environment

Israeli forces preparing for the construction of a pier off the coast of Gaza by the US military came under mortar fire this week. The Pentagon spokesman confirmed that some small number of mortars landed near the marshaling yard area, but no casualties were reported and UN officials had to seek shelter as a result. This attack has highlighted the dangers facing those involved in delivering humanitarian aid by sea, with U.S forces intending to build both a pier anchored miles off Gaza’s coast and a causeway that will extend from land into the Mediterranean Sea. The US Department expects these developments, part of Project Ocean Shield and also referred as JLOTS capability, ‎to be completed early next month while troops stationed aboard military ships located further away would transport humanitarian aid onto commercial vessels loaded in Cyprus en route to Gaza’s floating pier. U.S forces will not drive trucks carrying the aid down the causeway which is expected to extend several hundred meters into land, but they are involved with transportation of cargo from the pier to the shore via truck and distribution within Gaza itself. The mortar attack has brought attention to the hazardous environment that US military personnel would be operating in despite officials’ claims otherwise; however, General Charles Q Brown stated his confidence regarding their protection while acknowledging there is no such thing as a risk-free mission for roughly 1000 troops involved. Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper expressed concerns about this operation being too dangerous and questioned the Pentagon’s claim that U.S forces would not face any direct or indirect fire, including mortars and artillery from miles away without attribution which could disrupt operations causing damage to structures potentially destroying piers in entirety; moreover, Republican senator Roger Wicker condemned this action saying “it should be abandoned immediately” citing the risks of injuries for US troops. Hamas officials have also threatened any foreign military presence and characterized these interventions as being unauthorized beyond its coasts either via sea or on land describing them all in identical terms; a senior administration official reiterated that there would be no American forces entering Gaza territory. Despite Biden’s announcement, some human rights activists criticized the move saying it could exacerbate an already dire situation by providing Israel with cover for its blockade of Gaza and further entrenching Israeli control over Palestine which in turn increases poverty, joblessness among Gazan populations and amplifying crises across essential aspects that demand instant alleviation while hampering healthcare initiatives during the pandemic.