US Military Confirms Aid Shipment Arrival Via Temporary Pier in Gaza
The US military has officially verified the arrival of the first aid shipment via a temporary pier off the coast of Gaza.
According to a statement from US Central Command posted on X, the aid trucks began offloading at approximately 09:00 local time (07:00 BST), marking the initiation of a continuous multinational initiative aimed at providing additional aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Notably, no US troops disembarked during the operation.
However, despite this achievement, the United Nations has cautioned against overreliance on the maritime corridor, emphasizing that land routes remain the most expedient and efficient means of delivering aid.
With approximately 2.2 million Palestinians in need of urgent assistance, the opening of this maritime route comes at a critical time
In the upcoming days, an estimated 500 tones of aid are anticipated to enter Gaza, as outlined by US Central Command.
Collaborating closely with their US counterparts aboard RFA Cardigan Bay, British personnel have played an integral role in constructing and operating the pier, as confirmed by the Ministry of Defence.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps remarked, “The newly operational pier off the coast of Gaza will enable truckloads of humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians in dire need.”
The establishment of the floating base began several weeks ago to facilitate aid delivery to Gaza amidst ongoing military operations by Israel against Hamas.
Earlier this week, hundreds of tonnes of aid arrived in Cyprus, where it underwent screening before being loaded onto commercial vessels destined for the temporary pier in Gaza.
To ensure efficient distribution, smaller US military vessels will transport the aid from the floating pier to the beach in Gaza, where lorries will then proceed along the pier to offload the aid at a marshalling yard.
The United Nations, particularly the World Food Programme, will oversee the onward distribution of aid, marking the inauguration of a vital new channel for humanitarian assistance to reach Gaza.
With approximately 2.2 million Palestinians in need of urgent assistance, the opening of this maritime route comes at a critical time, especially as land-based aid deliveries face challenges such as security risks and logistical hurdles.
In light of recent events, including the temporary closure of key crossings and the unfortunate loss of aid workers in April, the establishment of the temporary pier represents a significant milestone in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
