On Friday, Hamas issued a statement rejecting the newly built US pier off the Gaza Strip as an alternative to opening all land crossings under Palestinian supervision. The group firmly opposed any military presence on Palestinian land.
This development comes as trucks carrying much-needed aid began rolling across the new pier into Gaza for the first time.
According to the Associated Press, the US military officials anticipate scaling up deliveries to 150 truckloads per day. However, the US and aid organizations warn that the floating pier project cannot replace the comprehensive land deliveries required to meet Gaza’s needs.
Israeli restrictions on border crossings and ongoing heavy fighting have severely hindered the delivery of food, water, and other essential supplies, seven months into the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The US and aid groups emphasize that while the pier can facilitate some aid, it is not a substitute for the unrestricted land crossings necessary for the full relief of Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
