Some 200 US soldiers arrived in Israel on Saturday in an effort to ensure the historic peace agreement ending the war in Gaza holds.
“America’s sons and daughters in uniform are answering the call to deliver peace in the Middle East in support of the Commander in Chief’s direction in this historic moment,” Adm. Brad Cooper, head of the US Central Command, said.
“This great effort will be achieved with no US boots on the ground in Gaza.”
People gather at “Hostages Square” in Tel Aviv, to celebrate the agreement signed between Israel and Hamas on Saturday. AFP via Getty Images
A drone photo of people gathering in “Hostages Square.” REUTERS
The US soldiers are not expected to head into the Gaza Strip and will remain in Israel. AFP via Getty ImagesThe American military isn’t expected to head into the Gaza Strip — but rather coordinate troops that will come from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, and manage any heightened tensions with the Israelis.
Part of its role following President Trump’s peace agreement between Israel and Hamas has been described as making sure there are no violations or incursions from either side.
Witkoff and Cooper boarded an Israeli black hawk helicopter after their visit to Gaza Saturday. REUTERSThe US army will also set up a center to restart the flow of humanitarian aid to Palestinians, with supplies expected to begin flowing back into the Gaza on Saturday.
Here’s the latest on the Gaza cease-fire deal
- Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump address cheering crowds in Tel Aviv to celebrate peace deal
- 200 US soldiers arrive in Israel, as Witkoff confirms IDF troops completed first phase of withdrawal from Gaza
- Trump set to fly to Israel to mark historic peace deal while preparing public for grim hostage release
- Putin chides Nobel winners who ‘did nothing for peace’ — tries to cozy up to Trump with Gaza deal praise
- American military to oversee initial Gaza peacekeeping force — but ‘no US troops are intended to go into Gaza’
Cooper, along with US envoy Steve Witkoff visited an Israeli army post in the Strip Saturday morning to confirm IDF troops were withdrawing as part of the historic cease-fire deal with the terror group, Fox News Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin reported.
Israeli Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir meets with Commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Admiral Brad Cooper, in this handout picture released October 11, 2025.
United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff (C), flanked by Jared Kushner (L) and Ivanka Trump, speaks to the crowd at Hostages Square on Saturday. Getty Images
Ivanka Trump, daughter of US President Trump, appears on stage during a rally at the so-called ‘Hostages Square’ outside the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel.
ABIR SULTAN/EPA/Shutterstock
Aid was expected to begin flowing back to Gaza on Saturday. AP“CENTCOM has confirmed that the Israeli Defense Forces completed the first phase withdrawal to the yellow line at 12PM local time, said Witkoff on X.
“The 72-hour period to release the hostages has begun.”
Witkoff and Cooper have since returned to Israel, with Witkoff set to speak at Tel Aviv’s Hostages’ Square Saturday night.
With Post wires
