LONDON: The British government is considering deploying troops to drive trucks carrying aid to Gaza from the pier to the shore along a floating causeway., reported by the BBC on Saturday. However, no decision has been made, and the proposal has not yet reached Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The UK government refused to comment on the report.
The report follows a statement by a senior US military official indicating that no American personnel will be deployed on the ground, and another nation will provide personnel to drive delivery trucks to the shore. The identity of this third party has not been disclosed.
The UK is already providing logistical support for the pier’s construction, including the deployment of a Royal Navy ship to accommodate hundreds of US soldiers and sailors involved in the project.
Moreover, British military planners have been working with US Central Command in Florida and in Cyprus to facilitate the screening of aid before shipment to Gaza.
UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps emphasized the importance of establishing more routes for vital humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, with the UK taking a leading role in coordination with the US and international allies.
The development of the port and pier in Gaza coincides with widespread international criticism of Israel over the slow delivery of aid to the Palestinian territory.
The United Nations has raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where a significant portion of the population is on the brink of starvation.
