Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects the temporary pier in Gaza to be operational; and whether UK troops will have a role in protecting it.

In the continued effort to increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza a temporary pier is being constructed off the coast to enable delivery as quickly and securely as possible; the US Department of Defense aim to have the pier operational in May 2024. That work is ongoing with the US, Cyprus and other partners. RFA Cardigan Bay has been deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean to provide support to the US personnel working to establish the pier. As of 2 May, UK personnel will not be undertaking roles protecting the pier.