US military opens coordination center in Israel for Gaza stabilization and aid efforts amid ceasefire
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Just days after global leaders threw their weight behind a U.S.-mediated strategy to conclude the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) inaugurated a Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Israel’s southern region on Friday. This center is intended to be the primary base for efforts to stabilize Gaza.

According to a statement, the CMCC is established to aid in the stabilization initiatives within the region.

Last week, insiders disclosed to Fox News that about 200 American troops had made their way to Israel, accompanied by a C-17 transport aircraft loaded with command-and-control systems and essential supplies.

The U.S. military units will not be entering Gaza but will concentrate on ensuring the seamless delivery of humanitarian aid, logistical support, and security resources from global partners directed towards Gaza.

Vice President JD Vance, CENTCOM Adm. Brad Cooper and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, in Israel, Oct. 21, 2015.

At a military briefing held at the Civilian Military Coordination Center in the south of Israel, Vice President JD Vance and CENTCOM Adm. Brad Cooper observed while U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, addressed the gathering. (Photo by Nathan Howard/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

“Bringing together stakeholders who share the goal of successful stabilization in Gaza is essential for a peaceful transition,” CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said in a news release. “Over the next two weeks, U.S. personnel will integrate representatives from partner nations, non-governmental organizations, international institutions and the private sector as they arrive to the coordination center.”

The CMCC will also oversee implementation of the ceasefire agreement with an operations floor designed to track real-time developments in Gaza. 

Palestinians collecting aid in Gaza

A Palestinian man collects food from a humanitarian aid distribution point in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza.  (Ahmad Salem/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Its offices and meeting spaces are structured to “foster collaborative planning among leaders, representatives and staff,” according to the release.

Fox News has learned that the CMCC will be located a few miles northeast of Gaza.

About 200 U.S. service members with expertise in transportation, planning, security, logistics and engineering established the CMCC under the leadership of U.S. Army Central commander Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank.

Gaza destroyed after bombardment

Destroyed buildings in Gaza, as seen from Israel. (Reuters)

“The team worked tirelessly to build the CMCC from the ground up,” Cooper wrote in a statement. “They can take great pride in knowing that they have built something that is critical to enabling the transition to civilian governance in Gaza.”

Due to the large tunnel network under Gaza City, tunnels will need to be filled to make the ground stable enough for construction.

Hamas has yet to return all 28 bodies of deceased hostages, delaying the start of the next stage. 

Israel, which has reiterated its commitment to recovering every hostage’s remains, received the bodies of seven identified hostages this week, along with one Palestinian mistakenly included among them.

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