June 12th 2024.
Australian billionaire Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest has come up with a solution to help ease the ongoing crisis in Gaza. He has proposed building a secure gate system on the Israel-Gaza border that could potentially allow 10,000 metric tonnes of food aid to be delivered daily to the starving Palestinian population. Forrest, who is known for his philanthropic efforts through his Minderoo Foundation, was set to present this proposal at an emergency summit on Gaza in Jordan, attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
In addition to the gate system, Forrest has also pledged $7.5 million to improve the Jordanian humanitarian land corridor by constructing storage warehouses. This would allow for more aid to pass through to Gaza. "Right now, the Jordanian people are bearing a significant load by leading the single most effective route into Gaza. It is my intention to lighten their load," Forrest stated in a press release.
According to a video presentation on the Minderoo Foundation's website, the proposed plan, called SafeGates, could be implemented within three weeks if approved by Israel. This plan has been developed in consultation with both Israeli and Palestinian communities over the past two months. CNN has reached out to Israel for their response to this proposal.
The SafeGates system, devised by Forrest's company Fortescue, involves installing three access points along the Israel-Gaza border that would conduct 3D scans of aid trucks as they enter and exit the region. These access points would be remotely monitored and operated by a third party, ensuring the safety and security of the aid deliveries. Forrest emphasized that there would be no cost to Israel and the plan respects the red lines set by both sides. On the Gaza side, existing networks and organizations would be utilized for the distribution of aid within the region.
This initiative comes at a crucial time as Palestinians in Gaza have been living under sustained bombardment by the Israel Defence Forces since last October when Hamas militants launched a deadly attack on Israel. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis, and has created a humanitarian crisis in the region. Despite efforts to deliver aid, there have been concerns about the effectiveness and safety of these deliveries, with some aid organizations reporting that supplies are not reaching those in need.
The SafeGates system aims to address these concerns by providing a secure and efficient way to deliver aid to Gaza. The system involves trucks undergoing a 3D scan at an automated entry gate before being allowed to enter a secure compound. Once inside, the driver exits through a separate door back to Israel while a driver from Gaza enters to transport the aid out of the compound. The truck would then be scanned again on the Gaza side before being unloaded and returning to Israel through the same process. This system would prevent unauthorized access to the vehicles, ensuring the safety of the aid deliveries.
Forrest hopes that this solution will help alleviate the burden faced by the Jordanian people and improve the delivery of aid to Gaza. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has gained international attention, with organizations warning that the region is on the brink of a famine. The United Nations Security Council has recently approved a ceasefire plan, but Israel has stated that they will continue their military operation in Gaza. Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with mass hunger and food shortages posing a significant threat to the population.
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