News - Middle East: A senior US Republican lawmaker has called on President Joe Biden's administration to shut down the so-called aid pier built off the coast of the Gaza Strip to be shut down, calling the structure ineffective, risky, and a waste of money.

“I urge the Administration to immediately cease this failed operation before further catastrophe occurs and consider alternative means of land and air-based humanitarian aid delivery,” Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Mike Rogers, wrote in a Thursday letter. 

Rogers argued that the so-called Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS), which costs at least $320 million, is a "waste of taxpayer dollars" and has put the lives of US personnel in danger.

The letter was sent to White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken

“As of June 19, JLOTS had only been operational about 10 days and had only moved 3,415 metric tons onto the beach in Gaza,” Rogers pointed out.

He also noted that three US service members suffered non-combat injuries while deployed on the pier.

Source: Press TV