President Joe Biden is set to announce a significant initiative in his State of the Union address on Thursday night, revealing that the US military will be building a temporary port on the coast of Gaza to increase the flow of aid to Palestinian civilians in the enclave. The move comes amidst growing tension between Washington and Israel, with the temporary port set to handle aid sent into the region via Cyprus. The President emphasized the need for more aid to flow into Gaza quickly, with UNRWA stating that the region needs at least 400 to 500 trucks of supplies daily to meet basic needs.

The operation will not require US troops to be on the ground to build the pier, with officials noting that the US military has unique capabilities that can be utilized from just offshore. Israel has expressed full support for the facility, with an Israeli official stating that the country welcomes the plan to deliver humanitarian aid by sea. However, the US has been frustrated by what they perceive as a lack of Israeli cooperation in facilitating aid deliveries to Gaza, leading to two recent airdrops of aid.

The Biden administration is coming under domestic pressure to increase support for Palestinian civilians affected by the conflict, with concerns that the President's handling of the situation could impact his re-election prospects. The Gaza crisis has threatened to overshadow Biden's State of the Union speech, where he will also unveil a series of domestic initiatives aimed at boosting the economy and addressing climate change. The President will highlight the need for additional "green investment" funded by tax increases on the ultra-wealthy and corporations.

In an effort to address the dire situation in Gaza and push for a ceasefire before Ramadan, Biden will use his address to Congress to urge Hamas to agree to a temporary peace deal. The US is working to build a coalition of countries to address the urgent need for aid in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of American leadership in the region.