Aid trucks have started moving through a U.S.-built pier anchored off Gaza's coast, the U.S. Central Command said on Friday (May 17), marking the first batch of aid to reach Gaza by sea in weeks.

Jerusalem

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Middle East Conflict

Aid trucks have started moving through a U.S.-built pier anchored off Gaza's coast. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that humanitarian assistance began moving ashore, marking the first batch of aid to reach Gaza by sea in weeks. The pier is intended to enhance aid deliveries to the enclave, where hundreds of thousands face a severe humanitarian crisis amid Israel's campaign against Hamas.

The aid delivered via the floating pier was pre-assembled at the Israeli port of Ashdod and moved into place recently. CENTCOM confirmed that no U.S. troops went ashore during the operation. The United Nations is finalizing plans to facilitate aid delivery via the pier, though Deputy U.N. Spokesperson Farhan Haque emphasized that land access remains the most effective method to get aid into Gaza.

This development occurs as intense conflict continues in Gaza. Israeli forces engaged in fierce battles with Hamas fighters in northern Gaza, while militants in the south attacked tanks massing around Rafa.



Aid trucks begin moving through Gaza pier, U.S. says

Aid trucks have started moving through a temporary U.S.-built pier off the Gaza Strip. Humanitarian assistance began moving ashore around 9 a.m. local time, the U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, said. The pier is an attempt to boost aid deliveries to the enclave, where hundreds of thousands face an acute humanitarian crisis amid Israel's campaign against Hamas. The aid being delivered via the floating pier is the first to reach Gaza by sea in weeks. It was pre-assembled at the Israeli port of Ashdod and moved into place this week. No U.S. troops went ashore, CENTCOM said. The United Nations said it was finalizing plans to get aid in via the pier, but Deputy U.N. Spokesperson Farhan Haque said land access is still the most effective way to get aid into Gaza. Getting aid to people in need into and across Gaza cannot and should not depend on a floating dock far from where needs are most acute. It all comes as Israeli forces battled Hamas fighters in northern Gaza on Friday in some of the fiercest engagements since they returned to the area a week ago, while in the south militants attacked tanks massing around Rafa.

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Minneapolis

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Ukraine Invasion

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