WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and SASC Chairman Jack Reed (D-RI) are urging the Biden Administration to deploy a U.S. Navy hospital ship to the region. Sending a hospital ship would help to alleviate suffering and treat the injuries of Gazans hurt in the current conflict between Israel and Hamas terrorists embedded in the civilian population. 

In a letter to the White House, the Senators make the case that supplying a hospital ship and establishing maritime logistics routes would provide humanitarian relief in a war-torn region, as well as deliver aid ashore to the population there — writing “one ship could supply a volume of aid equivalent to as many as 800 trucks.” They also note both France and Indonesia have successfully sent medical vessels to the area, demonstrating that such an endeavor can be done if sufficient precautions are taken.

In the letter, the Senators stress the stakes at play for the civilian population in Gaza:

“Despite the Administration's significant efforts, including your continuing work to broker a temporary ceasefire, two million Gazans still face critical shortages in food, shelter, and medical care.

“Consequently, we urge you to take additional steps to deliver humanitarian aid by deploying a U.S. Navy hospital ship and support elements to the region and by working with the Israeli and Egyptian governments to establish maritime logistics routes and ensure civilian access to aid.”

U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis (Ret.), former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, also voiced support for this naval endeavor.  “I have commanded these hospital ships in Latin America in the Caribbean as commander US Southern Command,” said Stavridis, who has overseen similar deployments. “They would bring immense capacity to bear off the coast of the Gaza strip. It would be a visible embodiment of America’s commitment to the humanitarian challenges of the region.”

Senator King has made repeated calls to protect the innocent civilians in Gaza caught in the crosshairs of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. During a bipartisan congressional delegation visit to the Middle East in January, King met with Israel Prime Minister and urged him to reduce bombings in an effort to prevent civilian casualties. In a November 2023 letter, King and his colleagues pressed for answers on how assistance would advance efforts to engage with Israel, Egypt, and the broader international community to address the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. He also has continuously supported Israel’s right to defend itself and has condemned Hamas’s use of rape and sexual violence during the October 7th terrorist attack.

You can read the letter here or below.

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February 28, 2024

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

President

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Biden,

Since Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, the United States has played an essential leadership role in supporting our ally, preventing the outbreak of a regional war, aiding in the return of hostages, and facilitating humanitarian relief for civilians in Gaza.  Despite the Administration’s significant efforts, including your continuing work to broker a temporary ceasefire, two million Gazans still face critical shortages in food, shelter, and medical care.

Consequently, we urge you to take additional steps to deliver humanitarian aid by deploying a U.S. Navy hospital ship and support elements to the region, and by working with the Israeli and Egyptian governments to establish maritime logistics routes and ensure civilian access to aid.  In this way, we can expedite the secure delivery of humanitarian relief while reducing the risk of diversion of this aid. 

Maritime support is scalable and poses less risk to U.S. personnel than relying solely on land-based operations.  Opening up routes from the sea also expands the logistics network, thereby reducing reliance on constrained land-based routes.  Indeed, one ship could supply a volume of aid equivalent to as many as 800 trucks.

We recognize there are risks to conducting such operations; however, the military has the expertise in managing risk.  Should the risks become unacceptable to military commanders, they have the authority to change or cease operations and report concerns to civilian leadership.  We point out that the military has significant experience in deploying hospital ships worldwide and providing force protection for sea-based assets.  These medical ships can provide needed relief to the civilian population and reaffirm our commitment to seeking peace in the region.

Already, France has successfully docked a hospital ship in Egypt, and Indonesia’s hospital ship just arrived in the region.  We urge you to adopt this approach and demonstrate our country’s commitment to relieving the suffering of those trapped in this conflict.

Sincerely,

Angus S. King, Jr.                                                                                            Jack F. Reed

United States Senator                                                                                      United States Senator

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