US Troops Arrive in Israel to Monitor Gaza Ceasefire
The US is set to send 200 troops to Israel to help coordinate the ceasefire deal with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, as per various sources. The troops, primarily from the US Central Command (CENTCOM), are expected to set up a civil military command center and are specialists in logistics, security, engineering, and transportation. Despite their deployment, US officials have repeatedly confirmed that these troops will not be entering Gaza.
Ceasefire Coordination and Multinational Force
The troops are being dispatched as part of a multinational force being established in Israel, which is likely to include personnel from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE, according to the BBC. The formation of this mixed force, as reported by La Repubblica, is expected to aid in the recovery of the bodies of Israeli hostages and the clearance of bombed structures and tunnels.
Top US Officials in the Region
Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, head of CENTCOM, and White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff have been active in the area, holding talks in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Cooper has since returned to Israel while Witkoff was seen visiting an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) base in the northern Gaza Strip. Witkoff's visit was aimed at verifying Israel's compliance with the ceasefire agreement, as reported by Middle East Eye.
No Ground Presence in Gaza
Despite the robust military presence in Israel, top US officials, including CENTCOM head Brad Cooper, have reiterated that there will be no US military presence in Gaza. Cooper stated his recent visit to Gaza was to discuss the creation of a Centcom-led civil-military coordination center
which will support conflict stabilization
.
Palestinians Return Home Amid Ceasefire
As the ceasefire appears to hold up, large numbers of Palestinians have been seen returning to their homes in the Gaza Strip. However, Al Jazeera English reports that war-weary Palestinians are skeptical yet cautiously hopeful about President Trump's ceasefire plan.
Trump's Peace Deal
President Trump's role in the ceasefire deal has been significant, with the US President announcing that the Hamas-held captives in Gaza will be released soon. He also expressed his desire to attend a signing ceremony in Egypt and address the Israeli Knesset. Trump's involvement in the peace deal has sparked speculation about a potential Nobel Peace Prize, with the Nobel Institute confirming that there will be a laureate this year.
In conclusion, while the ceasefire holds and Palestinians return home, the US's role in the peace process and the establishment of the multinational force is being closely monitored. As the situation continues to unfold, the world will be watching to see if this ceasefire deal will bring lasting peace to the region.