WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is sending about 200 troops to help provide aid and surveillance to Israel. Ceasefire agreement in Gaza U.S. officials said Thursday they were part of a team that included partner countries, nongovernmental organizations and private companies.
U.S. Central Command will establish and support a “civil-military coordination center” in Israel, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the details were not authorized to be made public. Flow of humanitarian aid It also provides logistical and security support to devastated areas. two years war.
The remarks provide some of the first details about how the ceasefire agreement will be monitored and what role the U.S. military will play in the effort. After Israel and Hamas agreed to a phase one deal; Trump administration plans cessation of fightingA series of , Questions remain about the next stepThis includes the disarmament of Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the establishment of a future government in the region.
One of the officials said the new team would help monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the transition to civilian government in Gaza.
The official said the coordination center will be staffed by about 200 U.S. military personnel with expertise in transportation, planning, security, logistics and engineering, and that no U.S. troops will be sent to Gaza.
Another official said troops would be sent from U.S. Central Command, which has troops stationed in the Middle East and other parts of the world. The official added that troops have already begun arriving and will continue to visit the area over the weekend to begin planning and efforts to establish the center.
Two other U.S. officials, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss internal deliberations, provided further details about the actions of other countries’ militaries and the U.S. military.
Members of the armed forces of Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates will also be included in the 200-strong U.S. military team, one of the officials said. U.S. military personnel will integrate the multinational force and work with the Israel Defense Forces, the official said.
The exact locations where U.S. troops will be deployed will be worked on Friday to determine, another official said.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump highlighted Gen. Brad Cooper, the commander of U.S. Central Command, during a White House cabinet meeting Thursday, saying he has worked with special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“Cooper, I hear he’s been great,” President Trump said.
Mr. Cooper joined the American side in talks in Egypt this week and helped reassure Arab countries that the United States would put strong guarantees behind its commitments at the negotiating table, and Arab countries conveyed that reassurance to Hamas, one U.S. official said.
Indicating readiness, Cooper said he could have the command post up and running within the next two-and-a-half weeks.
a groundbreaking deal pause war in gaza The agreement was reached on Wednesday after pressure from the United States and mediators in the region. Israel and Hamas To end the fighting that has devastated the Gaza Strip, tens of thousands of Palestinianssparked other conflicts and isolated Israel.
This push resulted in a first phase agreement to release the remaining survivors. israeli hostage within days in exchange for the release of hundreds. imprisoned Palestinians by Israel.
