![](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/03/10/besson-bda8ea43e3cfab578663070c0ddd324af0428b1c-s1100-c50.png)
U.S. Army Gen. Frank S. Besson left Joint Base Langley-Eustis en route to the eastern Mediterranean to help build a temporary relief port in the Gaza Strip, the U.S. military said.
US Central Command
Hide caption
Caption transition
US Central Command
![](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/03/10/besson-bda8ea43e3cfab578663070c0ddd324af0428b1c-s1200.png)
U.S. Army Gen. Frank S. Besson left Joint Base Langley-Eustis en route to the eastern Mediterranean to help build a temporary relief port in the Gaza Strip, the U.S. military said.
US Central Command
A U.S. military ship was heading to the Mediterranean on Saturday, less than two days after President Biden announced that the United States would take on an emergency mission to build a temporary dock in the Gaza Strip where large-scale relief supplies could be received.
The expansion of U.S. aid efforts for Gaza comes amid heightened tensions between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in 30,000 casualties, according to the Gaza Strip's Health Ministry. More than 1,000 Palestinians were killed.
On Thursday, Biden announced in his State of the Union address that the United States would lead a global effort to provide more aid to Gaza by helping build a temporary dock. Biden has been adamant that Israel has the right to defend itself, but he said in his speech that he also has a “fundamental responsibility” to protect innocent civilians in Gaza.
The United States has already begun airlifting food to Gaza, but the president said the dock could also receive large quantities of food, water, medicine and temporary shelter. Biden said that as part of his mission, “there will be no American boots on the ground.”
Administration officials said other countries were expected to support the United States in efforts to develop the dock, and that staff from the United Nations and other aid organizations would disperse assistance.
On March 9, 2024, U.S. Army Vessel (USAV) General Frank S. Besson (LSV-1) 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, and 18th Airborne Corps arrived at Joint Base Langley-Eustis. Less than 36 hours from the Eastern Mediterranean… pic.twitter.com/X70uttuY9J
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 10, 2024
In his speech, former Vice President Biden said, “The amount of humanitarian aid arriving into Gaza every day through the temporary dock will increase significantly.”
US Central Command said On Saturday,
The logistics support vessel Besson is carrying initial equipment needed to build a temporary dock, according to CENTCOM.
Since the war between Israel and Hamas began last October, the U.S. government has called for the delivery of aid to residents of the besieged Gaza Strip while also expressing support for Israel, its longtime ally.
But over the weekend, Biden warned that Netanyahu was “harming Israel more than helping Israel” in response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants into southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, Israeli officials said. said.
Biden said Israeli leaders should pay close attention to the growing death toll of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.
answer Regarding Biden's remarks in the interview: Politico“I don’t know exactly what the president means, but if you mean that I am pursuing a civilian policy that runs counter to the wishes of the majority of the Israeli people and that this is harming Israel’s interests, then you are wrong on both counts,” Netanyahu said. .”