Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd R) meets with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special representative for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff (2nd L), and Trump’s son-in-law and former advisor Jared Kushner (L) in West Jerusalem, October 9, 2025.
Toaf Ma’ayan | Group Policy Object | Anadolu | Getty Images
The United States is sending about 200 troops to Israel to help support and monitor the Gaza ceasefire agreement, as part of a team that includes partner countries, nongovernmental organizations and private sector actors, U.S. officials announced Thursday.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not authorized for release, said U.S. Central Command will establish a “civil-military coordination center” in Israel that will help facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid as well as logistical and security assistance into the territory ravaged by two years of war.
The remarks provide some of the first details on how the ceasefire agreement would be monitored and what role the U.S. military would play in the effort. After Israel and Hamas agreed this week on the first phase of the Trump administration’s plan to end the fighting, many questions remain about the next steps, including disarming Hamas, withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza and forming a future government in the territory.
The flags of the United States and Israel are projected on the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City to celebrate the agreement between Israel and Hamas on the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza, October 9, 2025.
Sinan Abou Mayzer | Reuters
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 coordination center will be staffed by about 200 U.S. military personnel with expertise in transportation, planning, security, logistics and engineering, said the official, who noted that no U.S. troops would be sent to Gaza.
Palestinians gather to celebrate the announcement of a ceasefire agreement set to take effect in the Gaza Strip on October 9, 2025, in Gaza City, Gaza.
Hamza ZH Qraiqea | Anadolu | Getty Images
A second official said the troops would come from U.S. Central Command as well as other regions around the world. The official added that troops have already started arriving and will continue to travel to the area over the weekend to begin planning and efforts to establish the center.
