In a shift that reflects a repositioning of influence within the regional arena, the United States has officially taken over the supervision of humanitarian aid to Gaza through the "Civil-Military Coordination Center" (CMCC), an entity led by American forces and comprising more than forty countries and international organizations. This step is seen as a clear reduction of the Israeli role in determining the nature and quality of the aid entering the sector, and an indication that Washington is now seeking to manage the post-war phase itself, rather than through Tel Aviv.
According to leaked reports, the center, established in southern Israel near the Gaza border, is considered the executive pillar of U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan, as it organizes the flow of humanitarian aid and monitors the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. However, multiple sources involved in the establishment of the center indicate that the initial weeks of its operation have been marked by chaos and indecision, reflecting the difficulty of transferring humanitarian oversight from an entrenched Israeli authority to a U.S.-led international body.
Until recently, the "Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories" unit of the Israeli occupation army was responsible for organizing the entry of aid into Gaza. But with the completion of the transition last Friday, decisions are now made by a broader body that includes representatives from multiple countries and organizations, while the Israelis retain a limited advisory role. This shift is viewed as a gradual retreat from Israel's monopoly on humanitarian corridors, especially after supplies remained severely restricted since the beginning of the ceasefire, despite some relative improvement.
International relief organizations that have long complained about Israeli restrictions on "dual-use" materials welcomed Washington's direct involvement. The Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Jan Egeland, stated in a press release on Friday that the transfer of oversight to the U.S. center is "very good news," considering that U.S. pressure is essential for implementing the humanitarian provisions of Trump's plan. However, questions remain about the extent to which Israeli restrictions will be lifted and the nature of the new rules that may be imposed on the operations of relief organizations that are wary of any direct military oversight.
At the same time, the United States has bolstered its military and intelligence presence around Gaza, according to the Washington Post. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has intensified its monitoring using drones to track the distribution of aid and observe violations. It recently released footage from an MQ-9 Reaper drone showing, according to its claims, Hamas elements looting an aid truck in Khan Younis, in a move aimed at pressuring the group and highlighting security challenges to the international public. This field engagement indicates that Washington is no longer entirely reliant on Israeli information but has begun to operate its own intelligence tools in Gaza and its surroundings.
Nevertheless, Israel rejected any suggestion that it is under U.S. oversight, with former general Yossi Kuperwasser stating that U.S. activity is "completely new," but he emphasized that "the rules for information sharing remain the same; everything valuable to Israel is shared." This position reflects Tel Aviv's sensitivity to what it perceives as an American expansion in an area it considers part of its direct security.
It is noteworthy that for Trump, the credibility of his country is at stake. The U.S. president, who promotes his initiative as a "historic dawn for a new Middle East," understands that the success of his plan depends on its ability to establish a ceasefire and balance humanitarian needs with political ambitions. In recent weeks, the U.S. administration has sent high-level delegations to Israel and the coordination center, including Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, in an attempt to solidify the new American role.
However, the challenges facing Washington remain significant. While some provisions of Trump's plan are being realized, such as the fragile ceasefire, the release of prisoners from both sides, and the withdrawal of the Israeli army from half of Gaza, other provisions remain stalled, most notably the disarmament of Palestinian factions and the establishment of an international peacekeeping force. The resurgence of Hamas and other armed groups in areas from which Israel has withdrawn has complicated the implementation of the agreement, while the coordination center faces bureaucratic difficulties that hinder quick decision-making without referring back to the participating capitals for approval.
According to the Washington Post, Arab countries are awaiting Washington's stance on Netanyahu's government. According to sources familiar with White House thinking, Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries will not proceed with normalization until they are assured that the war has effectively ended and that Israel has relinquished its control over Gaza. This equation places Trump before a difficult test: either he pressures Netanyahu to implement the peace provisions, or he risks the collapse of his entire plan.
The United States is attempting through the coordination center in Gaza to transform humanitarian aid into
شارك برأيك
The United States increases its aid to Gaza to reinforce the ceasefire.