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The Pentagon has confirmed that the temporary pier used to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza has been dismantled due to heavy seas and high winds.

Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh announced that the structure was moved to the Israeli port city of Ashdod, with no clear timeline for its reinstallation. Speaking to reporters, Singh said, “When the commander decides that it’s the right time to reinstall that pier, we’ll keep you updated on that. As we always said with the pier, it is meant to be temporary. It is not the long-term solution or solve for land routes; we know that’s the most effective way in.”

Multiple US officials speaking anonymously to various news outlets said the pier could be reinstalled once weather conditions improve, though no final decision has been made.

This issue (and previous ones) have led to calls from various US lawmakers, including Congressman Mike Rogers, to reevaluate or completely halt the method of aid delivery. In a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Congressman Rogers criticized the pier, noting it was “riddled with setbacks.” He advocated for the Pentagon to “immediately cease this failed operation before further catastrophe occurs and consider alternative means of land and air-based humanitarian aid delivery.”

This development comes as the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza have been warning of significant food shortages due to delays in processing aid and current Israeli border restrictions due to the war. Since its activation on May 17, the pier has facilitated the delivery of over 19 million pounds of aid, including around 10 million pounds in the past week alone.