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The United States plans to close down the Civil-Military Coordination Centre in Gaza, a move that critics say underscores the difficulties in implementing President Donald Trump’s plan for the region. According to sources familiar with the plan, the centre is set to be folded into a planned international stabilisation force, with a significant reduction in the number of US troops involved.
The US-run centre, established to facilitate communication between Israel and Hamas, has been under pressure to prove its effectiveness in monitoring the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and boosting aid flows. However, diplomats privy to the situation have expressed concerns that the centre’s efforts have been hampered by continued Israeli attacks and Hamas’s refusal to disarm.
More than 800 Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers have lost their lives since the October truce. The deteriorating situation has raised questions about the feasibility of the Trump administration’s Gaza plan, which aims to promote stability and economic growth in the war-torn region.
The planned closure of the coordination centre and reduction in the number of US troops reflect a shift in the US approach to resolving the Gaza conflict. While the US intends to retain a presence in the region, the scale of its involvement is expected to be significantly scaled down. The new international stabilisation force, which has yet to deploy to Gaza, is to be comprised of troops from several countries, but only a handful have pledged support so far, with none committing to security roles.
The development has sparked concern among diplomats and observers who fear that the US withdrawal could create a power vacuum in Gaza. “This move is a reflection of the difficulties facing the Trump administration’s Gaza plan, which has been undermined by continued Israeli aggression and Hamas’s refusal to disarm,” said a diplomat who wished to remain anonymous.
The international community has been struggling to find a solution to the Gaza crisis, which has left thousands of Palestinians in need of humanitarian aid. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants. The planned closure of the US coordination centre and reduced US presence in the region are likely to exacerbate the crisis, leaving questions about the future of the region’s stability.
As of now, the planned international stabilisation force has received limited commitments from countries willing to contribute troops. The lack of progress on this front has raised concerns that the proposed force may not be able to effectively address the complex issues facing Gaza.
The development is also seen as a setback for efforts to revive the stalled Middle East peace process. The US initiative, which was launched in 2019, aimed to broker a long-term settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.