Center to Be Shuttered
The United States is closing a military centre in Israel established to monitor the Gaza ceasefire, according to a Reuters report cited by Middle East Eye. The Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) will be shuttered and its responsibilities transferred to a US-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF), officials told the news agency. US troop numbers at the centre will drop from about 190 to 40, with eventual replacement by civilian staff from other countries, the report stated. [1]
The closure of the CMCC marks a significant shift in the US role in overseeing the ceasefire, which was brokered by the Trump administration in October 2025. The centre was intended to serve as a coordination hub for aid deliveries and monitoring, but its effectiveness has been questioned amid ongoing violations.
Aid Monitoring Role and Stagnant Flows
The CMCC was designed to oversee aid deliveries to Palestinians in Gaza, but officials told Reuters that aid flows have remained largely stagnant. Germany, France, Britain, Egypt, and the UAE participated in planning at the centre in its first months, but most countries stopped sending representatives, the report stated. The centre’s closure raises questions about the effectiveness of international coordination under the ceasefire framework. [1]
The US had initially deployed around 200 troops to the centre, with a mandate to coordinate humanitarian assistance. [2] However, the persistent lack of progress in aid delivery, despite the ceasefire, has undermined confidence in the monitoring mechanism. The reported stagnation in aid flows is consistent with broader challenges in implementing the ceasefire terms.
Ceasefire Violations and Israeli Dominance
Israel has repeatedly violated the ceasefire since October 2025, according to United Nations Assistant Secretary General Khaled Khiari, who cited ongoing deadly Israeli strikes. The Guardian reported in December 2025 that Israel conducted extensive surveillance at the CMCC, recording meetings, and the US commander requested the spying stop. Over 800 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks since the ceasefire agreement, officials said. [1]
Israeli dominance at the centre was a recurring concern. The Guardian report noted that Israeli military personnel were openly and covertly recording discussions. The US commander of the CMCC, Lieutenant General Patrick Frank, told his Israeli counterpart the spying needed to stop, according to the same report. [1] Such incidents have eroded trust in the ceasefire enforcement mechanism.
International Stabilisation Force’s Uncertain Future
The US obtained a UN Security Council mandate for the ISF in November 2025, and Indonesia, Jordan, and Egypt prepared troops, the report noted. However, the US-Israeli attack on Iran has caused Arab and Muslim states to reassess participation, a US official told Middle East Eye. The ISF’s fate is uncertain, with no clear timeline for deployment, according to Reuters. [1] Talks to advance the ISF have been on hold since the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran. [3]
The uncertainty surrounding the ISF underscores the challenges of maintaining international commitment to Gaza’s stabilization. With the CMCC set to close and the ISF’s deployment in doubt, the ceasefire’s enforcement mechanisms are weakening. The US-Israeli military campaign against Iran has diverted attention and resources away from Gaza, further complicating peace efforts.
Broader Implications and Stalled Peace Plans
The closure of the CMCC signals waning US focus on Gaza amid the conflict with Iran, analysts said, as reconstruction plans have stalled. President Trump had celebrated the ceasefire in October 2025, stating ‘the war in Gaza is over…now the rebuilding begins,’ but progress has not materialized. [1] Diplomats expressed concern that the US would abandon enforcement of Israeli commitments, and the centre’s closure may deepen doubts about the ceasefire’s durability. [1]
The ceasefire, initially hailed as a breakthrough, has seen repeated violations and a lack of progress on reconstruction. Over 1,500 buildings have been demolished in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect, according to satellite data analyzed by the BBC. [4] The center’s shuttering is likely to reinforce perceptions that the US is disengaging from the peace process, leaving the future of the ceasefire in question.
References
- US to shut centre intended to monitor Gaza ceasefire as peace plans stall: Report. Middle East Eye. May 1, 2026.
- U.S. to Lead Multinational Oversight Force in Israel for Gaza Ceasefire Monitoring. NaturalNews.com. Patrick Lewis. October 15, 2025.
- Talks To Advance Trump’s Gaza Plan on Hold Since Start of US-Israeli War Against Iran. Antiwar.com. March 9, 2026.
- Israel has demolished over 1,500 Gaza buildings since ceasefire, satellite data reveals. NaturalNews.com. November 13, 2025.
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