Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testified before House lawmakers about the construction of a floating humanitarian pier along the Gaza Strip’s coast and the potential for US forces to return fire if attacked by Hamas. The pier, costing $320 million, is meant to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Austin confirmed to the House Armed Services Committee that US forces may face the possibility of coming under fire while stationed on the pier.
During the hearing, Rep. Matt Gaetz questioned Austin about the rules of engagement for US forces if they are attacked from land in Gaza. Austin stated that US service members have the right to return fire to protect themselves. This led to a tense exchange between Gaetz and Austin, with Gaetz pointing out the potential contradiction between President Biden’s statement about not having boots on the ground in Gaza and the presence of US forces on the pier.
Hamas officials have publicly threatened to attack any outside forces approaching the region, including those stationed around the pier. Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, warned that the group would treat any military force in the area as an occupying power and would respond with violence. This has raised concerns among lawmakers, with Gaetz suggesting that Congress should vote on the deployment of US forces to the region, given the potential for a military conflict to arise.
Democrats also raised questions about the implications of a potential Hamas attack on US troops stationed on the pier. Elissa Slotkin expressed concerns about the possibility of a wider conflict if US forces are targeted and questioned how the Israel Defense Forces would respond to such attacks. Slotkin highlighted the need to clarify the response protocols in case of an attack on US troops, especially considering the Israeli military’s track record with civilian casualties.
Overall, the issue of US forces potentially coming under fire while stationed on the floating pier in Gaza has raised significant concerns among lawmakers from both parties. The tense exchanges during the hearing highlighted the need for clear rules of engagement and response protocols to ensure the safety of US service members in the region. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas adds complexity to the situation, as any attack on US troops could escalate tensions and lead to further violence in the region.
