The US Army is gearing up for a daunting task: constructing a floating pier off the strife-torn Gaza Strip to facilitate the delivery of vital humanitarian aid.

According to Northeastern Global News, this ambitious initiative, announced by President Joe Biden, aims to provide relief to Palestinians affected by the Israel-Hamas war.

Can the US Army Make the Floating Pier in Time?

Despite the challenges ahead, experts believe the plan is both feasible and timely, setting the stage for a critical operation that could significantly impact the lives of Gaza's residents.

According to Qin Jim Chen, a professor specializing in civil and environmental engineering and marine and environmental sciences at Northeastern University, the proposed plan is technically achievable and timely. 

"From an engineering point of view it's doable. It can be implemented. Of course there are challenges - but this is probably a good plan in terms of time," Chen said in a statement.

Joe Biden recently announced during his State of the Union address that the US Army would undertake the construction of a temporary pier off Gaza to facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid to Palestinians affected by the recent five-month conflict with Israel.

The plan involves creating a floating pier to accommodate aid ships, with provisions for loading the supplies onto Navy support vessels. These vessels would then transport the aid to a 1,800-foot-long, two-lane causeway extending to the shore, where trucks would be stationed to collect and transport it further inland.

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Engineering Challenges

Chen acknowledged that while the project presents engineering challenges, none are insurmountable. One key consideration is ensuring that the structure can withstand the waves and tides of the eastern Mediterranean. Chen suggested that pontoons, buoyant platforms anchored to the seafloor, would provide the necessary flexibility and stability.

Describing the pier and causeway as extensive arrays of pontoons, Chen explained that the pier would be wider to accommodate aid unloading, while the causeway, which will be longer and narrower, would serve as the link to the beach.

Based on previous experiences, Chen noted that similar structures have been successfully built in locations like Australia. He also highlighted the relatively mild waves and tides in the eastern Mediterranean, particularly during the spring and summer months, which are favorable for such construction.

While the beach offers a relatively accessible landing point, its dynamic nature presents challenges as it constantly changes. However, Chen remained optimistic, emphasizing that technical solutions exist to address these challenges.

Regarding Biden's assurance that US troops would not set foot on land, Chen suggested that allies could assist in connecting the causeway to the beach, resolving any technical hurdles that may arise.

However, Chen warned that unloading and distributing the aid pose separate logistical challenges that must be addressed. Despite the complexities involved, Chen believes that the project can be completed within the specified timeframe with favorable weather conditions.

Despite the planned initiative to provide humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza, which saw more than 30,000 people killed, including children, the US has played a significant role in the conflict, particularly with its support to Israel since it receives US military funding worth $3.8 billion every year. 

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