We must find a path to unite all sides in order to deliver peace in Gaza

Editorial: The pontoon built by the US military off the coast of Gaza does more than guarantee much-needed humanitarian aid. It is a reminder that the international community did not stand by – and will be on hand to help answer the ‘day after Hamas’ question

Humanitarian aid arrives at the floating pier off the northern coast of Gaza (US army/AP)

It should never have come to this – but the fact that the first aid shipments have now come ashore via the temporary pier on Gaza’s northern coast provides at least some hope for besieged Palestinians.

In the coming days, some 500 tonnes of water, food, medicine and other essentials will be transported through this new route. It is a relatively small contribution to Gaza’s needs, which are around 10 times that figure, but the symbolism is almost as important as the relief these supplies will bring to malnourished and sick civilians.

Building this mini-port at such pace has been a major achievement of military engineering. The project was led and largely funded by the United States, with wide international support. It is a strong signal to the Israelis that the international community will not stand by while famine stalks the Holy Land, and that the US president, Joe Biden, will do whatever it takes to try to avoid that further catastrophe.