A spokesperson for Gaza’s government has told Al Jazeera that the US plan to build a temporary port off Gaza’s coast to deliver humanitarian aid “is a step in the right direction”.

“From our side, governmental bodies are ready to help distribute the aid to the people who need it,” he said, adding that he was hopeful the initiative would “alleviate the suffering caused by this humanitarian catastrophe”.

However, he added that the proposed plan was “not the shortest and easiest way” to deliver aid to Gaza and that several questions remain on the logistics and who will operate the pier.

“The Americans have to pressure Israel to open all borders, the sea, the air and the ground, to allow people to get what they need,” he said.

The spokesperson rejected Israel’s repeated claims that aid entering the Strip would benefit Hamas fighters, saying, “Israel as an occupying power has a duty under international law to care for the lives of civilians.”