United States is deploying approximately 200 troops to Israel as part of a multinational task force aimed at monitoring and supporting the newly brokered Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The announcement, confirmed by two senior U.S. officials speaking anonymously on Thursday, comes amid widespread celebrations in Gaza, Tel Aviv, and Ramallah following the deal's approval by Israel's cabinet on October 9, 2025.
The troops, drawn primarily from U.S. Central Command, will form the core of the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), a joint operation that includes military representatives from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and likely the United Arab Emirates. Their role will focus on logistics, transportation, engineering, planning, and security oversight to ensure smooth implementation of the ceasefire. Crucially, no U.S. personnel will enter Gaza itself, with operations centered in Israel and potentially other regional locations to avoid direct involvement in the enclave.
The ceasefire, hailed as a "comprehensive end to the Gaza war" by mediators, kicks in within 24 hours of Israel's ratification, with Hamas required to release all remaining living Israeli hostages—estimated at 48—within 72 hours thereafter. In exchange, Israel will free nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees, including hundreds in the initial phase. The agreement also paves the way for humanitarian aid surges into Gaza, where over 90% of the population has been displaced and more than 67,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since the conflict erupted after Hamas's October 7, 2023, attacks that killed 1,200 Israelis.
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U.S. officials emphasized the task force's mission to deconflict operations between Israeli Defense Forces and international security partners, preventing clashes while facilitating the transition to a civilian government in Gaza. "This is about building stability without boots on the ground in Gaza," one official stressed, underscoring the delicate balance of supporting Israel's security while addressing humanitarian crises.
The deployment aligns with President Donald Trump's aggressive push for regional peace, building on his first-term Abraham Accords that normalized ties between Israel and Bahrain, the UAE, Morocco, and Sudan. Officials expressed optimism that the truce could thaw tensions and accelerate further deals, with Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Mauritania, Algeria, Syria, and Lebanon emerging as prime candidates. Trump, who credited Arab and Muslim allies for the breakthrough, plans a trip to Egypt for the formal signing and has vowed no forced displacements from Gaza.
Yet, challenges loom large. Thornier elements—like Hamas's disarmament, full Israeli troop withdrawal, and the establishment of international forces in Gaza—remain unresolved, casting shadows over the deal's long-term viability. As troops begin arriving over the weekend, the world watches to see if this fragile accord can endure the weight of decades-old animosities and deliver lasting peace.
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