The US Department of Defense announced yesterday that the United States has begun building a naval pier in Gaza to increase aid access to the besieged Palestinian Strip.

Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ride told reporters: “I confirm that American warships have begun construction of the first stages of a temporary port and pier at sea.”

This temporary platform at sea would allow military or civilian ships to unload their cargo, and the aid would later be transported by logistical support ships to a pier on the beach.

American officials said that this effort does not include “deploying forces on the ground” in the Gaza Strip, which is witnessing a war, but that American soldiers will be next to the Gaza Strip during the construction of the pier, which will also be supervised by Israeli forces.

Non-governmental organizations will likely be responsible for distributing the aid after it reaches the Strip, as the US Department of Defense reported earlier.