The United States military has begun construction on a pier meant to boost deliveries of desperately needed aid to Gaza, the Pentagon said on Thursday.
The small coastal territory has been devastated by more than six months of Israeli bombardment and ground operations against Hamas militants, leaving the civilian population in need of humanitarian assistance to survive.
"I can confirm that US military vessels... have begun to construct the initial stages of the temporary pier and causeway at sea," Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder told journalists.
The facility will consist of an offshore platform for the transfer of aid from larger to smaller vessels, and a pier to bring it ashore.
Plans were first announced by US President Joe Biden in early March as Israel held up deliveries of assistance by ground.
US officials have said the effort will not involve "boots on the ground" in Gaza, but American troops will come close to the beleaguered territory as they construct the pier, for which Israeli forces are to provide onshore security.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Demand On Safety Met, Doctors' Body Calls Off Strike Over Kolkata Rape-Murder
Columbia University President Quits 4 Months After Gaza War Campus Protests Trump Speaks With Netanyahu Over Gaza Truce And Hostage Deal: Report Israel Confirms Its Delegation To Attend Gaza Truce Talks In Doha 150 mg Semen In Kolkata Doctor's Body, Suspect Gang-Rape: Parents To Court Tear Gas Fired After Kolkata Protest Against Doctor's Rape-Murder Turns Violent "Secular Civil Code Need Of Times": PM Modi In Independence Day Speech Mob Vandalised Kolkata Doctor Rape Murder Case Crime Scene? Cops Respond Mob Vandalised Kolkata Doctor Rape Murder Case Crime Scene? Cops Respond Mob Vandalised Kolkata Doctor Rape Murder Case Crime Scene? Cops Respond Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.