Thousands of Palestinians in dire need will be fed by the UK, says Defence Secretary

The UK will be able to feed up to 11,000 people in desperate need in Gaza, Grant Shapps has said, highlighting the importance of the floating pier the US military has built.

The pier, which will soon receive the first delivery of shelters for the people of Gaza, has been constructed on the coast by US troops, who were accommodated on board RFA Cardigan Bay.

Defence Secretary Mr Shapps said the pier was vital in order to get supplies through to the Palestinians.

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He said: "The newly operational pier off the coast of Gaza will enable truckloads of humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians in dire need. 

"The UK continues to play a key role in this herculean international effort – supporting logistics coordination in Cyprus, deploying RFA Cardigan Bay to help US personnel constructing and operating the pier and providing UK aid for delivery.

"We expect the first shipment to provide enough provisions to feed 11,000 people for a month."

RFA Cardigan Bay was instrumental in the construction of the temporary pier and helped deliver personnel to the building site.

Working alongside the US government and Armed Forces, the UK will maintain a maritime aid corridor from Cyprus to Gaza.

A 550-metre causeway from the pier to the shore will enable more aid to be brought in, including as many as two million meals a day.