Washington Post: US Forces Oversee Humanitarian Aid Entry into Gaza

SadaNews - The Washington Post revealed last night that the US force at the new Civil-Military Coordination Center will take responsibility for overseeing the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, replacing the Israeli army.

The United States has been increasing its presence in Gaza as part of efforts to support the fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

The newspaper reported that the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), led by the United States and comprising over 40 countries and international organizations, has replaced the Israeli coordination unit known as COGAT in overseeing the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

US officials confirmed that decisions regarding the type and volume of aid are now made through this joint center, rather than by the Israeli side as previously.

Lieutenant Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command (CENTCOM), clarified that the presence of this international coalition allows for "a clearer understanding of what is happening on the ground and determining the actual needs of the population."

Despite the relative improvement in the flow of aid after the ceasefire, the newspaper indicated that Israel still imposes significant restrictions on the movement of supplies, especially through the Karam Abu Salim crossing, while other crossings, like the Allenby Bridge between Jordan and Israel, remain closed. The occupying authorities have also prevented most relief organizations from bringing in food and medical supplies under the pretext of "dual use."

Jan Egeland, the Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, stated that the United States' direct involvement in coordinating aid represents "good news," but he warned of the continued Israeli obstacles that "hinder humanitarian items in Trump's plan."

The report added that US President Donald Trump acknowledged that he pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the peace agreement, noting that the plan includes strict security measures and American aerial surveillance via drones to monitor compliance with the ceasefire and aid distribution.

In contrast, Israel rejected accusations that it is under US supervision, confirming that intelligence cooperation with Washington proceeds under "normal information exchange protocols."

The US Coordination Center is located in Kiryat Gat, southern Israel, and is managed by Brigadier General Patrick Frank with the participation of approximately 200 American soldiers and a number of international representatives. According to the newspaper, Washington does not intend to deploy forces inside the Gaza Strip, but its mission is limited to "supporting stabilization efforts and monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement."

The Washington Post notes that the US plan also includes a framework for disarming Palestinian factions and establishing an international security force under UN supervision, as well as a project to establish "safe residential clusters" within Gaza until reconstruction arrangements are completed.

However, international relief organizations rejected this proposal, considering it "a return to a model of imposed humanitarian trusteeship," while the European countries participating in the center believed it could not be "a strategic tool for one party to the conflict."

While Trump described his plan as "a historic dawn for a new Middle East," the Washington Post warned that its success depends on Israel's willingness to relinquish its direct control over Gaza and on Arab countries, led by Saudi Arabia, to proceed with normalization on the condition of a clear path toward establishing a Palestinian state.