US plans to build a new port in Gaza to get aid to the starving population are a “complete distraction” from the international relief effort, the charity ActionAid Ireland has said.

At last week’s State of the Union speech, US President Joe Biden pledged America would build a temporary port to speed up the delivery of aid by sea. 

A Spanish aid ship with 200 tonnes of supplies left Cyrpus this week for Gaza; if it can dock successfully, other aid will also be sent by sea.

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, ActionAid Ireland CEO Karol Balfe said Israel has been persisently blocking the delivery of aid to Gaza by land - which remains the most effective method of delivering food and other supplies. 

“What needs to happen is land access to allow the level of aid to get in,” she said. 

“The talk of air drops and ports - they are a complete distraction from what happens. 

“Obviously, the Americans will work closely with the Israelis but they will still control what gets in.”

The aid going into Gaza is not enough. Tonight @POTUS announced the United States will establish a port on the Gaza coast to receive ships carrying food, water, medicine, and temporary shelters. https://t.co/lpAOh1O8bf

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 8, 2024

Yesterday, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell Fontelles said that Israel is using starvation as a “war arm” against the Palestinians. 

In recent days, the UN has warned Gaza is on the brink of famine and Ms Balfe said only a “trickle” of the necessary aid is getting into the territory. 

“The facts just are that Israel is blocking aid into Gaza,” she said. 

“It controls access to Gaza and it has blocked aid. 

“Up until just this week, we’re hearing as Ramadan begins, dates being blocked from getting in because the stones could be used as weapons.” 

Palestinians walk past a building destroyed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip in Gaza City, 3-1-24. Image:Associated Press / Alamy

Ms Balfe said the problem of hunger is likely to continue after the conflict due to the destruction of so much infrastructure in the territory. 

Israel has destroyed a lot of the food production that might be available for starving and traumatised people in Gaza. 

“70% of the fishing vessels have been destroyed; fishermen are not allowed access to sea,” she said. 

“Land has been destroyed by the bombing - so, there is a clear pattern here that very much says that the Palestinians in Gaza are being collectively punished.

“This is completely in face of the International Court of Justice ruling which said Israel had to increase the amount of humanitarian aid getting in.” 

Israel has denied accusations of war crimes and claims its actions are motivated by self-defence, following Hamas’ attack on October 7th.

Main image: Damage to buildings near the Palestine Tower in Gaza City after bombardment by Isreali forces.