US Emergency Aid Pier Ready for Deployment in Gaza

A ship carrying humanitarian aid has departed from Cyprus, bound for Gaza, as part of a $320 million project aimed at easing the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave. The temporary floating pier needed to unload the food and supplies is not yet in place due to unsafe weather conditions off the coast of Gaza. This development comes amid ongoing operations by Israel in Rafah, southern Gaza, and follows an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel on October 7. Despite this, Israeli authorities have announced the reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing with Gaza, which was previously closed. The aid shipment is a test of President Biden's promise to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has been exacerbated by ongoing conflict and economic struggles.