United States military personnel began arriving in Israel on 11 October 2025 to support the implementation of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Officials confirmed that approximately 200 troops will operate exclusively on Israeli territory. There are no plans for deployment inside Gaza during the mission.
The primary objective of the deployment is to establish a coordination center that will manage logistical operations, security support, and the delivery of humanitarian assistance. U.S. military leaders clarified that oversight activities will focus on facilitation and verification processes rather than direct involvement in ground operations across the Gaza Strip.
General Brad Cooper, head of the U.S. Central Command, reaffirmed that no American military personnel or service members will enter Gaza for any phase of the operation. Special envoy Steve Witkoff accompanied senior officials during an assessment visit to verify initial Israeli withdrawals under the negotiated ceasefire framework.
The agreement, which the United States proposed, includes a scheduled release of 48 hostages held by Hamas, with Israeli authorities estimating that approximately 20 of them remain alive. In exchange, Israel committed to releasing about 2000 Palestinian prisoners. The final transfers are expected to be completed no later than 13 October 2025.
Humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain critical after two years of extensive bombardment. Local authorities reported more than 5000 public operations to address urgent needs. These include infrastructure repairs and medical support. Around 700 missions have delivered food in multiple governorates since the ceasefire took effect.
The World Food Programme announced that it is ready to reopen 145 food distribution points upon approval from Israeli authorities for expanded access. United Nations officials confirmed that Israel granted permission to scale up aid deliveries beginning Sunday. Note that earlier restrictions before March 2025 reduced distribution from approximately 400 sites.
Gaza civil defense representatives stated that more than 500000 people have returned to Gaza City since the cessation of hostilities. Tess Ingram, spokesperson from UNICEF, cautioned that returning residents will encounter large-scale destruction and warned that a ceasefire alone cannot address extensive humanitarian requirements.
The overall death count is expected to rise as recovery teams gain further access to previously unreachable areas. Note that Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza received 45 bodies in the past 24 hours. Most of which had been missing for extended periods. United States President Donald Trump is expected to join a formal peace signing ceremony in Egypt.