Gaza humanitarian aid port likely to take approximately two months, 1,000 US troops to build: Pentagon

The U.S. military port that is intended to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza is expected to take up to two months to construct and requires over 1,000 U.S. servicemembers to complete, the Pentagon said.

In a press conference on Friday, Press secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters that that port would take at least 1,000 U.S. forces.

"We anticipate that it'll take over 1,000 U.S. forces to participate in building this capability," Ryder said.

"As far as time frame, several weeks, likely up to 60 days in order to deploy the forces and construct the causeway and the pier," he said.

BIDEN TO HAVE US MILITARY BUILD A PORT IN GAZA

Ryder said that the Department of Defense is starting immediately in constructing the port.

"But again, we're starting immediately, in terms of putting things into motion on that front," Ryder said.

The spokesperson explained that the offshore pier that President Biden ordered will allow for expedited humanitarian aid to Gaza.

"Simply put, they'll establish a temporary offshore maritime pier that allows for shipping vessels to transfer cargo to smaller vessels to transport and offload cargo to a temporary causeway for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza," Ryder said.

Ryder stressed that there would be no boots on the ground.

"The concept that is being planned involves the presence of U.S. military personnel on military vessels offshore but does not require U.S. military personnel to go ashore," Ryder explained, saying that the White House is coordinating with likeminded nations to determine who will be operating the pier and distributing the aid into Gaza.

Cyprus has been highlighted as one of the locations where aid could be loaded onto ships and then taken to the floating pier, Ryder