US to Deploy 200 Military Personnel to Oversee Gaza Peace Agreement Implementation

The United States is set to enhance its involvement in Gaza through a military presence as part of the recently negotiated peace agreement. This initiative is included in President Donald Trump's comprehensive 20-point peace proposal.

According to US officials who spoke on Thursday, the US Central Command (Centcom) will take an active role in Gaza's transition following the finalization of the peace agreement. While American troops will not be deployed directly within Gaza, Admiral Brad Cooper, Centcom's commander, will lead a team of 200 personnel in the region to monitor compliance with the peace accord.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that "up to 200" Centcom personnel will be "tasked with monitoring the peace agreement in Israel, and they will work with other international forces on the ground." A US official, speaking anonymously, indicated that some of these personnel might be stationed in Israel.

The implementation of an international stabilization force represents a key component of President Trump's peace plan, which has received agreement from both Israel and Hamas as part of recent efforts to end the conflict in Gaza. President Trump announced his plans to visit the region soon to witness the release of approximately 20 living hostages to Israel, which forms part of the agreement.

This deployment reflects President Trump's determination to secure a lasting peace deal. Admiral Cooper accompanied Trump's leading envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, during their diplomatic mission to the region this week.

Admiral Cooper's responsibilities will include overseeing the situation and ensuring that no violations or incursions occur under the agreement. The 200-person team will include members from the Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish armed forces, with likely participation from the United Arab Emirates military as well.

While the exact location for Cooper's team deployment remains undecided, Centcom's headquarters is at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.

This increased involvement of Centcom in the transition represents an expanded role for the US military, though not without precedent. Cooper's predecessor, General Michael Kurilla, previously visited Israel to assist the country's armed forces in evaluating strikes against Iran. Additionally, Centcom provided support to Israel in coordinating responses to Iranian missile attacks in 2024.