President Joe Biden is expected to announce during his State of the Union speech that the U.S. military will be deployed to Gaza to assist in the construction of infrastructure for the Palestinians. This move comes amid ongoing Israeli military operations in response to attacks by Palestinian terrorists, particularly from the Hamas group, resulting in casualties in Israel. The reported “emergency mission” aims to build a port in Gaza to facilitate a maritime route for humanitarian assistance from Cyprus.
According to U.S. officials, the decision to deploy military assistance to Gaza is motivated by concerns that Israel is not allowing sufficient aid into the region. Critics, including Senator Tom Cotton, have accused President Biden of capitulating to the pro-Hamas faction within his party, potentially jeopardizing relations with Israeli allies. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies Senior Adviser, Richard Goldberg, expressed disappointment in Biden’s prioritization of Hamas propaganda over bringing Americans home from captivity.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, David M. Friedman, criticized the announcement as a “cheap political trick,” highlighting the historical challenge of ensuring aid in Gaza reaches its intended recipients. He emphasized that previous aid influxes had been misused to build terror infrastructure rather than address the region’s leadership issues. Friedman questioned the effectiveness of the proposed port without addressing the accountability and elimination of groups like Hamas. Overall, conservative perspectives criticize Biden’s decision, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes genuine accountability and addresses the underlying issues in Gaza.
