The number of Palestinians who have been killed in the Israeli invasion of Gaza in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas is disputed, but reports from the ground show that, in addition to civilians killed by bombings and the ground assault, there are growing numbers of people dying of starvation. On Wednesday, the United Nations warned of an “imminent” famine in the region, which is inhabited by 2.3 million people.
The aid ship belongs to the Spanish charity Open Arms, and will bring will bring food supplies in cooperation with EU authorities. It is leaving from the Cypriot port of Larnaca.
The U.S. has previously airdropped supplies into the besieged territory. The Biden administration said that it now wants to built a floating pier to help deliver large amounts of aid into Gaza. The Pentagon indicated that this could take up to 60 days.
Even as Biden warned Israel’s government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, against further targeting of the civilian population in Gaza, he reiterated his support for the state. “I’m never going to leave Israel,” said the U.S. president. “The defense of Israel is still critical.”