US Set to Close Its Flagship Gaza Mission Amid Stalled Trump Plan, Sources Say
The US is planning to close a military-run center near Gaza, a move that highlights the challenges in monitoring the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and facilitating aid flow.
A US military-run center near Gaza, known as the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), is set to be shut down by the Trump administration, according to sources familiar with the matter.
This development marks another blow to President Donald Trump's Gaza plan, which has been hampered by repeated Israeli attacks since the October truce and Hamas's refusal to disarm.
The CMCC was established as part of a broader 20-point plan for Gaza aimed at overseeing the ceasefire and coordinating on aid following the ceasefire meant to halt Israel-Hamas fighting and allow for rebuilding the territory.
The closing of the CMCC underscores the difficulties faced by US efforts to oversee the truce and coordinate on aid, given Israel's continued expansion of its control over Gaza and Hamas's strengthening grip in areas under its control.
Diplomats say that while dozens of countries initially sent personnel to the center to influence discussions on Gaza's future, this has waned due to ongoing Israeli attacks and reduced international engagement.
The CMCC's aid and monitoring responsibilities are expected to be transferred to a US-commanded international security mission known as the International Stabilization Force (ISF).
The ISF is meant to deploy to Gaza but has yet to do so, with only a handful of countries committing troops.
Washington has stated that US troops will not deploy to Gaza.
The move to fold the CMCC into the ISF reflects an overhaul rather than a meaningful shift on the ground, according to diplomats.
They note that while the CMCC lacked authority to enforce the ceasefire or ensure aid delivery, it remains unclear whether integrating it with the ISF would have practical effects.
The White House and the US military's Middle East command did not comment on the CMCC's future but referred inquiries to the Board of Peace, which oversees Gaza policy.
Once the transition is complete, the center will likely be rebranded as the International Gaza Support Center and led by US Major General Jasper Jeffers.
Despite these changes, the practical impact on aid delivery and stability in Gaza remains uncertain.
The territory continues to face significant challenges, including stagnant aid levels, ongoing Israeli restrictions on goods deemed dual-use, and unresolved political conflicts that hinder its recovery and future governance.
This development marks another blow to President Donald Trump's Gaza plan, which has been hampered by repeated Israeli attacks since the October truce and Hamas's refusal to disarm.
The CMCC was established as part of a broader 20-point plan for Gaza aimed at overseeing the ceasefire and coordinating on aid following the ceasefire meant to halt Israel-Hamas fighting and allow for rebuilding the territory.
The closing of the CMCC underscores the difficulties faced by US efforts to oversee the truce and coordinate on aid, given Israel's continued expansion of its control over Gaza and Hamas's strengthening grip in areas under its control.
Diplomats say that while dozens of countries initially sent personnel to the center to influence discussions on Gaza's future, this has waned due to ongoing Israeli attacks and reduced international engagement.
The CMCC's aid and monitoring responsibilities are expected to be transferred to a US-commanded international security mission known as the International Stabilization Force (ISF).
The ISF is meant to deploy to Gaza but has yet to do so, with only a handful of countries committing troops.
Washington has stated that US troops will not deploy to Gaza.
The move to fold the CMCC into the ISF reflects an overhaul rather than a meaningful shift on the ground, according to diplomats.
They note that while the CMCC lacked authority to enforce the ceasefire or ensure aid delivery, it remains unclear whether integrating it with the ISF would have practical effects.
The White House and the US military's Middle East command did not comment on the CMCC's future but referred inquiries to the Board of Peace, which oversees Gaza policy.
Once the transition is complete, the center will likely be rebranded as the International Gaza Support Center and led by US Major General Jasper Jeffers.
Despite these changes, the practical impact on aid delivery and stability in Gaza remains uncertain.
The territory continues to face significant challenges, including stagnant aid levels, ongoing Israeli restrictions on goods deemed dual-use, and unresolved political conflicts that hinder its recovery and future governance.
