Controversy Surrounds Construction of Gaza Maritime Pier: UAE Funding and Israeli Oversight
Watan-Satellite images have revealed a pier under construction on the southern coast of Gaza City, according to coordinates provided by Maxar Technologies.
Maxar released images taken on March 11th, 12th, and 13th, showing excavation and construction activities directly on the beach sands.
Several reports indicate that the maritime passage being built off Gaza will be funded by the UAE with Israeli oversight.
Following warnings of widespread famine in war-torn Gaza, the United States announced plans to establish a floating maritime passage off Gaza’s shores to transport food and other aid to civilians in the territory.
A video clip showed dozens of Israeli soldiers supervising the construction of the maritime passage off Gaza, with vehicles seen carrying soil and construction supplies.
The idea of this pier raises widespread suspicions about the intentions of Israel and the US, with some seeing it as a dangerous project completing a displacement plan.
Satellite imagery from @Maxar shows a jetty/pier is under construction on the Gaza coastline, just south of Gaza City: 31.497, 34.408. Construction crews can be seen operating in the area. Images are from March 11, March 12, and March 13. pic.twitter.com/xZPMR7DhWn
— Christiaan Triebert (@trbrtc) March 14, 2024
Separate port in Gaza
Last week, US President Joe Biden said the US military would begin building a separate port in Gaza capable of receiving large shipments of aid.
However, the Pentagon said constructing this floating pier could take up to two months and require about 1000 US soldiers.
According to a report by the American network CNN, there are no longer functioning ports in Gaza.
UN Special Rapporteur on food Michael Fakhri said last week that Israeli forces “destroyed Gaza’s port,” the main albeit small port in the territory near the Gaza City sand area.
تمويل إماراتي وسيطرة إسرائيلية.. مشاهد لجنود الاحتلال وهم يشرفون على عملية بناء الممر البحري قبالة غزة.#حرب_غزة pic.twitter.com/yGfoTU68y8
— مجلة ميم.. مِرآتنا (@Meemmag) March 16, 2024
Arbitrary standards
This comes at a time when Israel continues to impose strict restrictions on land crossings into Gaza, through which the majority of vital aid enters the territory.
Relief agencies have accused Israel of imposing arbitrary and contradictory standards that hinder relief from entering the war-torn areas.
