Peace Council Denies Washington's Intent to Close Truce Monitoring Center in Gaza

The Peace Council, established by US President Donald Trump, refuted circulating news regarding the United States' intention to close the Civil-Military Coordination Center responsible for monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. The Council affirmed that the center, located in the Kiryat Gat area near the Strip, continues to carry out its usual duties in overseeing field commitments.

The Council clarified in an official statement via the X platform that claims regarding the center's closure are unfounded, emphasizing that work is currently underway to enhance daily efforts to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid. The statement noted that the pace of aid delivery has reached levels described as unprecedented in the recent history of relief operations.

This denial came in response to press reports citing informed sources that the US administration plans to end the work of the center, which is managed by US forces. These reports claimed that the decision follows criticism directed at the center for failing to achieve its objectives related to monitoring the ceasefire and facilitating the entry of vital supplies to the besieged population.

Press sources stated that the alleged closure plan represented a new blow to Trump's initiatives towards Gaza, which faced significant challenges due to repeated military violations. The sources added that continuous Israeli attacks since the October 2025 truce contributed to undermining the center's effectiveness and its ability to control the field rhythm.

In a related context, diplomats indicated that the US trend towards restructuring reflects the extreme difficulties in overseeing the truce amidst geopolitical changes. Israel continues to seize more land in the Gaza Strip, while other field parties seek to strengthen their grip on the remaining areas under their control.

Washington's allies expressed concern about the possibility of reducing the direct US role in oversight, especially since they contributed funding and personnel based on encouragement from the US administration. The reconstruction plan had been effectively frozen as a result of the recent regional escalation and military confrontations involving international parties.

Reports quoted seven informed officials that the center may undergo a comprehensive transformation soon, with its responsibilities being transferred to a new international security mission led by Washington. This mission is scheduled to take over monitoring and aid coordination tasks as an alternative to the current structure of the center, which faces administrative and field pressures.

US officials described these steps in closed rooms as a comprehensive reform process aimed at increasing efficiency, but observers believe that it will effectively lead to the termination of the center's current role. Once the international stabilization force takes over its duties, the remaining cadres will be integrated into a new organizational framework consistent with the revised US vision.

The proposed plan includes a significant reduction in the number of US forces operating at the headquarters, with the number expected to decrease from 190 soldiers to only about 40 soldiers. The United States seeks to replace these military personnel with civilian employees from allied countries to ensure the continuity of the international character of the security mission.

Diplomats who spoke to media sources believe that the current center lacks the executive authority necessary to enforce a ceasefire on the ground. This lack of powers made it unclear whether the integration into an international stabilization force would lead to a tangible improvement in the humanitarian or security situation.

It is expected that the facility will be renamed 'The International Center for Gaza Support' upon completion of the integration process, to be led by US Major General Jasper Jeffers. Jeffers currently serves as the commander of the international stabilization force appointed by the White House to oversee the transitional phase in the Strip.

Despite some Peace Council officials refusing to comment directly on the details of the restructuring, they affirmed the pivotal role played by the center in advancing Trump's peace plan. Official bodies in the White House and the military command in the Middle East referred inquiries regarding this matter to the Peace Council administration.

On the other hand, media sources quoted US officials as categorically denying any intention to close the center at present, considering any discussion of it premature. These tensions come at a sensitive time when the Gaza Strip is suffering from the effects of an ongoing genocide since 2023.

It is worth noting that the Israeli aggression on Gaza has resulted in the martyrdom of more than 72,000 Palestinians, with near-total destruction of infrastructure and vital facilities. Despite reaching a fragile ceasefire agreement, daily Israeli violations have led to hundreds of new martyrs, further complicating the tasks of any international monitoring mission.

Any claim that the Civil-Military Coordination Center will close is a false claim, and the center is enhancing its efforts daily to continue delivering aid.