The U.S. military has created a Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) near Gaza to oversee the implementation of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and coordinate humanitarian aid efforts. The facility, established by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), is located in southern Israel, approximately a few miles northeast of Gaza, serving as a central hub for international collaboration. This initiative is part of a broader effort to stabilize the region and ensure the ceasefire agreement is enforced.
According to a news release from CENTCOM, the CMCC is designed to facilitate stabilization efforts, bringing together stakeholders from partner nations, non-governmental organizations, international institutions, and the private sector. The center will oversee the implementation of the ceasefire agreement with an operations floor to monitor real-time developments in Gaza. U.S. military personnel will not deploy into Gaza itself, but will instead focus on facilitating the flow of humanitarian, logistical, and security assistance from international partners into the region.
Recent developments indicate that the U.S. has dispatched around 200 military experts to Israel, led by U.S. Army Central commander Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank. These personnel are responsible for establishing the CMCC and will work to integrate representatives from various organizations and governments into the coordination effort. The CMCC’s infrastructure is being built with the understanding that the extensive tunnel network under Gaza City requires careful management to ensure the ground is stable for construction.
Despite the progress in establishing the coordination center, challenges remain. Hamas has yet to return all 28 bodies of deceased hostages, which has delayed the start of the next stage in the ceasefire process. Israel has reiterated its commitment to recovering every hostage’s remains, and the country has received the bodies of seven identified hostages this week, although one Palestinian was mistakenly included among them. The delay in the handover of hostage remains has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation if the issue is not resolved.
The CMCC’s role in overseeing the ceasefire’s implementation highlights the U.S. military’s involvement in peacekeeping efforts in the region. As the coordination center becomes operational, it will serve as a critical link between the international community and the on-the-ground situation in Gaza, aiming to promote stability and support the transition to civilian governance in the area.