In a significant move aimed at addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, President Joe Biden has instructed the US military to establish a port in the besieged Palestinian territory. Senior US officials revealed this plan ahead of Biden's State of the Union address to Congress on Thursday.

The establishment of the port is part of a broader effort to increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been under relentless bombardment since the Hamas attacks on Israel last October. Notably, the initiative does not involve the deployment of US troops on the ground in Gaza. Instead, military personnel will operate offshore while collaborating with allies and partners in the region.

According to a senior administration official, the main feature of the port will be a temporary pier capable of accommodating hundreds of additional truckloads of assistance each day. This initiative will significantly enhance the capacity to deliver vital supplies to the people of Gaza.

The operation to set up the port is expected to take several weeks to plan and execute. It will involve establishing a maritime corridor for aid shipments from the Mediterranean island of Cyprus to Gaza. US officials emphasized that they would coordinate closely with Israeli authorities on security requirements while working with international organizations and aid agencies on the ground.

The decision to announce the establishment of the port during Biden's State of the Union address underscores the urgency of addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Despite facing political pressure for his unwavering support for Israel, Biden has taken decisive action to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.

Last week, the US began airdrops of aid to Gaza following a deadly incident in which over 100 people were killed at an aid station in the northern part of the territory. The establishment of the port represents a significant escalation of US efforts to provide much-needed assistance to the besieged population of Gaza.