US Army's Floating Dock Receives First Shipment of Aid Sent to Gaza

The first ship carrying humanitarian aid from the United States headed towards a floating dock constructed by the US Army in the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday. According to the plan, the aid shipment will be transferred to smaller American boats at the floating dock and then brought ashore. The Rafah border crossing with Egypt, the main entry point for humanitarian aid, has been closed since the Israeli army took control of the Palestinian side early on Tuesday. Civilians in Rafah are in a state of fear and chaos due to the potential for a large-scale Israeli assault on this densely populated city. Reports indicate that tens of thousands of already displaced Palestinians have packed their tents and other belongings and are heading to other areas of Gaza. The Gaza war has displaced about 80% of the 2.3 million population of this territory and caused widespread destruction in the city. Following the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the kidnapping of over 250 others, Israel launched an assault on Gaza aimed at destroying this Iran-backed Islamist group and recovering the hostages. Hamas officials have repeatedly stated since the October 7 attack that they would carry out similar attacks if possible. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have listed Hamas as a terrorist organization. The Israeli army also announced on social media that dozens of trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing on Thursday. According to Israel, the delivery of this aid comes as Hamas rocket attacks on the region continue unabated. Israel targeted eastern Rafah with airstrikes; tanks are positioned outside the city. Israel announced the reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing; the United Nations stated that no aid has yet entered Gaza.