As President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union address on Thursday, a looming humanitarian crisis in Gaza took center stage. Tens of thousands of Palestinians are facing an increasingly harrowing situation that officials warn is pushing the territory toward famine.
Despite Biden’s repeated optimism about a potential temporary ceasefire, the prospects for relief in the beleaguered territory appeared to be diminishing. In response, Biden announced a significant effort to address the crisis: the US military will establish a port in Gaza to facilitate the delivery of critically needed food and medical supplies.
During his address, Biden emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “A temporary pier would enable a massive increase in the amount of humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza every day. And Israel must also do its part. Israel must allow more aid into Gaza and ensure that humanitarian workers aren’t caught in the crossfire.”
In one of his most forceful remarks about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza since the war began, Biden sent a direct message to Israeli leadership, emphasizing that “Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority.”
The gravity of the situation was underscored by the UN World Food Program’s warning of an imminent famine, putting 500,000 people at risk of starvation. As of Wednesday, at least 20 people had died due to malnutrition and dehydration since the conflict erupted in Gaza, according to the territory’s Ministry of Health.
The announcement from Biden signifies a recognition of the severity of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The UN, while welcoming the news of the US military’s intent to establish an aid port, emphasized the importance of road access into the territory as “the only solution” to avert a starvation crisis.
The youngest child to die of starvation and lack of medical attention was reported to be just one day old, according to health officials in Gaza. The toll of the conflict is staggering, with over 30,000 people killed and more than 72,000 injured since Israel initiated relentless ground and air attacks following an attack by Hamas on October 7.
Despite the announcement, uncertainties remain about when the aid port will be operational, and questions arise about why the administration waited until the State of the Union to announce heightened efforts to provide aid to the territory.
The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has reached a critical juncture, coinciding with Israel’s war against Hamas as the holy Muslim month of Ramadan approaches. Biden warned earlier in the week that in the absence of a ceasefire when Ramadan begins, the situation in Gaza could become “very, very dangerous.”
Biden reiterated that the only real solution to the conflict is a two-state solution, emphasizing the need for diplomatic efforts to address the root causes of the ongoing crisis. The UN and other officials continue to advocate for swift action to prevent further loss of life and mitigate the unfolding humanitarian disaster in Gaza.
