The US Military Confirms Arrival of First Humanitarian Aid Shipment in Gaza via Temporary Floating Pier
The US Central Command has verified that the initial batch of humanitarian aid has reached Gaza through a temporary floating pier. Aid trucks commenced unloading around 09:00 local time on Friday, as stated by US officials.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the delivery of 8,400 plastic shelters. Further, approximately 500 tonnes of British aid, including tents, hygiene kits, and forklift trucks, are slated to arrive in Gaza via the pier, constructed by US armed forces, in the forthcoming weeks.
Despite this progress, Sunak emphasized that the maritime route alone cannot address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He stressed the necessity of opening more land routes, including the Rafah crossing, to ensure the safe delivery of aid to civilians in dire need.
UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron echoed Sunak’s sentiments, underscoring the urgency of providing assistance to Gaza’s population, at risk of famine and lacking vital supplies. He urged Israel to uphold its commitment to permit a minimum of 500 aid trucks daily into Gaza, where approximately 2.2 million people urgently require food, shelter, and other essential aid.
In parallel developments, White House National Security spokesman John Kirby disclosed that US aid had arrived in Cyprus. He explained that the aid would undergo screening by Israeli authorities before being loaded onto ships bound for Gaza via the maritime corridor. Kirby emphasized the immediate necessity of reopening the Rafah crossing, recently seized by Israel, attributing its closure to mutual blame between Israel and Egypt.