The US military has said it expected around 500 tons of aid to enter Gaza in the coming days after an emergency pier was affixed to the shore in the territory, AFP reports.

“Just a few hours ago, the pier was successfully affixed to the beach in Gaza,” said Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, deputy commander of US Central Command.

“I think we’re going to get about 500 tons in the next couple of days.

“It’s a pretty substantial amount, and it’s spread out over multiple ships right now,” Cooper told reporters.

“Thousands of tons of aid are in the pipeline. We’re seeing significant volumes of aid flow into Cyprus for further distribution,” he told reporters.

Cooper said that around 1,000 US soldiers and sailors were involved in the operation but that they were only involved in the pier and not in delivery — which will be handled through the United Nations — or in combat between Israel and Hamas.

“There will be no US military boots on the ground in Gaza,” he said.