First shipment of UK aid delivered across floating pier

The UK has delivered its first shipment of aid to Gaza via the US-built floating pier, the UK government said in a statement. 

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that "more aid will follow in the coming weeks".

"We know the maritime route is not the only answer. We need to see more land routes open," he added.

The US military finished the pier's construction on Thursday, two months after US President Joe Biden ordered it built.

While the pier is supposed to support aid deliveries, it is not expected to replace the cheaper and more efficient land deliveries that are now largely blocked off.

The World Health Organisation said earlier today that no medical supplies had entered Gaza following the seizure earlier this month of the Rafah crossing by Israeli forces ahead of their offensive against the city.