Austin: There are no signs that Hamas will attack the US forces that are building the port in Gaza

2024-05-04 16:27:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Austin: There are no signs that Hamas will attack the US forces that are

The US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, said that the militant group Hamas does not appear to be preparing to attack the US forces that are building a temporary port on the coast of Gaza, which will serve to bring more humanitarian aid into the region. According to VOA correspondent Carla Babb, the comments come about a week after a mortar attack near the site where US forces are working, which thankfully resulted in no casualties.

As U.S. forces near the completion of a temporary port off the coast of the Gaza Strip, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said there is no indication that the Hamas militant group will attack U.S. troops. The port is being built with the aim of facilitating the introduction of as much humanitarian aid into the region as possible by sea.

"I don't see any evidence right now that they have an active intention to attack our forces," US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.

According to experts, the United States has taken measures to guarantee the safety of troops working in Gaza. Israel in turn has also pledged to protect them.

Expert Brad Bowman of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies says that while Washington is trying to get as much aid into Gaza as possible, Hamas and other militant groups have shown disregard for civilian life and, he says, an opportunity to kill American troops would to give them pleasure.

"Those who carried out the terrorist attack on October 7 last year in Israel, who use people as shields, who hold innocent men, women and children hostage, they are the same ones who would not hesitate to attack those who try to bring food and water for hungry people", he said.

Israeli checkpoints have delayed aid trucks from entering Gaza. The United States and other countries have airdropped food packages to Palestinians in Gaza, but aid organizations say they are insufficient.

With the construction of the temporary port, dozens of aid trucks are expected to enter the Gaza Strip every day./ VOA