The US Agency for International Development said on Thursday that it needs a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip so that it can increase aid and release detainees, stressing that the needs in Gaza are still great and all residents need aid.

The agency added that it will continue to address the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip after the US Department of Defense (the Pentagon) announced the end of the floating naval dock mission.

The US Army said yesterday, Wednesday, that its mission to install and operate the temporary pier was complete, thus officially ending faltering attempts to use the pier to bring humanitarian aid into the Strip.

Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, deputy commander of US Central Command, said in a press briefing: “A naval mission that includes the floating dock has been completed. Therefore, there is no longer any need to use the dock.”

Earlier Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin informed his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, of stopping the operation of the floating dock.

An American official told Al Jazeera that the commander of the US Central Command recommended dismantling the floating dock in Gaza and ending its mission. The official added that Austin agreed with the recommendation.

Repeated failure

He faced the floating dock, which was funded by Washington at a cost of $230 million and implemented by the US Army. Difficulties, crashes several times.

The pier was opened in mid-May, and Washington said it was used to bring humanitarian aid into Gaza by sea, but international organizations and official Palestinian authorities have repeatedly confirmed that the aid that entered through it represents only a small percentage of the needs of the besieged Strip.

The pier was damaged by strong winds and waves that hit it about a week after it began operating, so it was removed for some repairs.

On June 7, it was reinstalled and used for about a week, then removed again due to bad weather on June 14.

Days later, it was reinstalled, but strong waves forced American forces to remove it for the third time on June 28.