New Delhi, May 02: The United States is set to close its flagship Gaza mission tasked with monitoring the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and facilitating aid to Palestinians, according to Western media reports.
The shutdown of the Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) in Israel would mark a setback for President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, which has already faced challenges amid continued Israeli strikes since the October truce and Hamas’ refusal to disarm.
Officials said the move highlights the difficulties in overseeing the ceasefire and coordinating humanitarian assistance, as Israel expands its control over parts of Gaza while Hamas consolidates its hold in other areas.
The decision may also raise concerns among US allies, many of whom had deployed personnel to the CMCC and pledged support for Gaza’s reconstruction plan, which is now largely on hold following the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Sources said the centre’s responsibilities will be transferred to a US-led International Stabilization Force (ISF), expected to deploy to Gaza. However, troop numbers are likely to drop to around 40 from nearly 190, with plans to replace them with civilian staff from partner countries.
Diplomats noted that the CMCC lacked enforcement authority, raising questions about the effectiveness of its integration into the ISF. The restructured body may be renamed the International Gaza Support Center and led by US Major General Jasper Jeffers.
Although envisioned as a key pillar of the ceasefire framework, the ISF has yet to fully deploy, with only a few countries committing limited support.
