About 200 US troops began arriving in Israel to build a coordination centre supporting humanitarian, logistical, and security operations for Gaza.
US officials confirmed that the troops will not enter Gaza but will oversee the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
US envoy Steve Witkoff and Central Command chief Brad Cooper visited Gaza on Saturday to verify Israel’s first phase of troop withdrawal.
“This effort will proceed without US boots on the ground in Gaza,” Cooper said, confirming his command would lead the mission.
Ceasefire Opens Path for Aid and Recovery
Under the truce deal, Hamas will release 48 remaining hostages by Monday, with about 20 believed to be alive.
In return, Israel will free 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.
Officials in Gaza reported over 5,000 public operations since the ceasefire began, including infrastructure repair and medical relief.
Workers restored water and sewage systems while aid groups conducted around 700 food distribution missions for displaced families.
The World Food Programme announced plans to reopen 145 food centres once Israel expands delivery access across the region.
The United Nations said Israel approved broader aid operations starting Sunday to meet urgent humanitarian needs.
Gaza Begins to Rebuild Amid Ruins
Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians journeyed north through dust-filled streets to return to shattered homes.
Gaza’s civil defence agency estimated 500,000 people had reached Gaza City since the ceasefire began.
“When people return, they find rubble and destruction where homes once stood,” UNICEF’s Tess Ingram said from central Gaza.
She urged a “massive humanitarian surge” to address the devastation left by two years of war.
Shifa Hospital’s manager reported 45 bodies recovered from Gaza City rubble within 24 hours, missing for up to two weeks.
US President Donald Trump plans to visit the Middle East soon for the Gaza peace deal signing in Egypt, marking a possible end to the war.
