By Harshit | October 10, 2025 | Washington D.C. | 6:00 AM EDT
U.S. Role in Monitoring Gaza Truce
The United States will redeploy up to 200 troops already stationed in the Middle East to Israel to assist in monitoring the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, U.S. officials confirmed Thursday. The move underscores Washington’s effort to bolster international oversight of the truce while avoiding direct military involvement inside Gaza.
The deployment will form part of a new multinational civil-military coordination center, a joint mechanism designed to ensure compliance with the ceasefire agreement and facilitate humanitarian assistance. Troops from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates are expected to join the effort, according to senior officials.
“No U.S. forces will enter Gaza,” one official stressed, describing America’s role as creating a Joint Control Center that will “integrate” the multinational force operating on the ground.
Israel Approves First Phase of Gaza Deal
The Israeli government this week approved the first phase of a ceasefire arrangement with Hamas, paving the way for a suspension of hostilities and the exchange of hostages and prisoners. The breakthrough comes after months of intense fighting and indirect talks led by Egypt and Qatar.
U.S. Central Command (Centcom), which oversees American military operations in the region, will spearhead the taskforce under the leadership of Adm. Brad Cooper. Cooper recently joined American negotiators in Cairo for indirect discussions with Egyptian and Qatari mediators, according to U.S. officials.
President Donald Trump praised the progress, declaring Thursday that both Israel and Hamas had “signed off on the first phase” of the peace plan he unveiled last week.
Building a Multinational Taskforce
Under the plan, the civil-military coordination center will be responsible for reporting on ceasefire compliance, documenting potential violations, and communicating developments through mediators in Egypt and Qatar.
“The multinational force will inform both the Israelis and Hamas of the situation on the ground and any truce violations,” one senior official explained.
This structure reflects one of the key points of Trump’s 20-point Gaza proposal, which envisioned an International Stabilization Force to ensure the ceasefire holds. While the larger stabilization force remains under discussion and depends on further progress in the hostage-prisoner exchange, the current deployment marks a first step.
Humanitarian Assistance and Oversight
Beyond security, officials say the new U.S.-led taskforce will also coordinate humanitarian aid distribution inside Gaza, where the devastation of the nearly two-year war has left millions in desperate need.
International agencies, including the United Nations, have urged that any ceasefire monitoring mechanism prioritize aid flows to Gaza’s civilian population, which has faced food shortages, medical collapse, and widespread displacement.
By involving Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE — all of whom have varying degrees of influence with Hamas and Israel — the taskforce aims to add credibility and balance to the monitoring process.
The War’s Human Cost
The war, which began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks that killed roughly 1,200 Israelis and led to 251 being taken hostage, has resulted in catastrophic losses. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry — a toll that includes over 20,100 children. These figures have been cited as reliable by the United Nations and international humanitarian organizations.
The scale of destruction and civilian casualties has intensified calls worldwide for an enforceable ceasefire and independent oversight. Washington’s new troop movement, though limited in scope, reflects recognition that without credible monitoring, the fragile truce risks collapse.
Trump Administration’s Position
The White House insists that the troop movement is consistent with Trump’s broader peace initiative. “President Trump is committed to ensuring stability in Gaza and protecting both American interests and humanitarian needs,” a spokesperson said Thursday.
While Trump has promoted his Gaza plan as a pathway to eventual reconstruction and stability, officials acknowledge that success depends on cooperation between bitter adversaries and sustained international pressure.
For now, the 200 U.S. troops will remain confined to Israel, focused on coordination and oversight, as Washington works with regional and global partners to solidify the ceasefire and open channels for humanitarian relief.
Outlook
The ceasefire remains fragile, and both Israel and Hamas face internal pressures that could undermine compliance. The U.S. troop redeployment — coupled with a multinational oversight framework — represents an early test of whether Trump’s plan can transition from paper agreements to real-world stability.
With tens of thousands of lives already lost and millions more at risk in Gaza, the stakes could not be higher. The coming weeks will reveal whether this limited U.S. deployment can help sustain peace or whether renewed violence will once again consume the region.
