UK aid to Gaza has successfully been delivered today for the first time via a US-built temporary pier.

The first of 8,400 shelter coverage kits – temporary shelters made up of plastic sheeting – has arrived in the coastal enclave, alongside aid from the United States and UAE.

The shipment was the first consignment of UK aid to be delivered through the Cyprus maritime corridor. More aid, including 2,000 additional coverage kits, 900 tents, five forklift trucks, and 9,200 hygiene kits, will follow in the coming weeks, the UK government has promised.

In a statement, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “The delivery is the culmination of a herculean joint international effort, and I pay tribute to our Armed Forces who alongside our partners have played a central role delivering this much needed support.

“More aid will follow in the coming weeks, but we know the maritime route is not the only answer. We need to see more land routes open, including via the Rafah crossing, to ensure much aid gets to civilians in desperate need of help.”

The Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS) pier was built by the US Navy and Army and was anchored to the shore on May 16. It is expected to initially facilitate the delivery of 90 truckloads of international aid into Gaza each day, reaching up to 150 truckloads once fully operational.

Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron hailed the shipment as a “major milestone” in the international community’s efforts to maximise aid going into Gaza, with the UK playing “a central role” in the effort. Lord Cameron stressed the importance however of Israel ensuring land routes are open and that aid gets safely to where it is needed.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the newly operational pier will enable “truckloads” of humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians in need. He said the UK is supporting “logistics coordination in Cyprus, deploying RFA Cardigan Bay to help US personnel constructing and operating the pier,”

Shapps added that they expect the first shipment of provisions to feed 11,000 people for a month.

The UK has committed £9.7 million to support the project and is also providing accommodation on board RFA Cardigan Bay for US military personnel constructing and operating the pier.