A vessel carrying aid to a pier built by the US off Gaza set sail from Cyprus, marine tracking websites showed, Reuters reports.

The US flagged Sagamore left the port of Larnaca. US officials have said the vessel will be used to offload supplies onto a floating pier built to expedite aid into the besieged enclave.

There was no immediate comment from Cypriot authorities, which had earlier said the ship would sail as soon as the floating platform was in place, subject to weather conditions.