US Mulls Maritime Corridor for Gaza Aid as Benny Gantz Visits Washington

Jerusalem, 6 March, 2024 (TPS) -- The US is mulling the establishment of a maritime corridor to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, a Defense Department official said on Tuesday as a member of Israel’s War Cabinet visited Washington.

“In coordination with the U.S. interagency and international partners, we are actively reviewing options for a maritime corridor for humanitarian assistance into Gaza, including potential commercial and contracted options” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters during a briefing.

The endeavor, Ryder said, would require ensuring a secure and safe route through the Mediterranean. The US would play a supporting role rather than have US forces go ashore.

“At this point in time, there are no plans to send any U.S. forces into Gaza,” Ryder said.

Israel disputed assertions from Biden administration officials that the amount of aid reaching the Strip is insufficient.

The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), a unit within the Israeli Defense Ministry tweeted on Wednesday, “Over the last 2 weeks, an average of 102 food trucks entered Gaza daily. This is 46% more food trucks entering Gaza on a daily basis, compared to before October 7th.”

The tweet added, “There is no limit to the amount of humanitarian aid that can enter Gaza.”

COGAT coordinates civilian issues in Judea, Samaria and Gaza between the Israeli government, military, international organizations and the Palestinian Authority.

Ryder’s comments also came against the backdrop of Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz’s visit to Washington. Gantz met with Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Gantz is also due to meet with Congressional leaders. The trip raised controversy in Israel because it was not sanctioned by the government.

According to a White House readout, Harris and Gantz discussed the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and Palestinian stampede on an Israeli aid convoy, and the possibility of a ceasefire and hostage release, among other issues.

Gantz is scheduled to stop in London on the way back to Israel, where it is believed he will meet with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron.

At least 1,200 people were killed and 240 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the remaining 134 hostages, Israel recently declared 31 of them dead.