The Trump administration has said it will send at least 200 U.S. troops to the Middle East to monitor the first phase of a U.S.-brokered peace deal between Israel and Hamas, officials said Thursday.
Oct. 9 The Trump administration has said it will send at least 200 U.S. troops to the Middle East to monitor the first phase of a U.S.-brokered peace deal between Israel and Hamas, officials said Thursday.
The administration said no U.S. troops will enter Gaza, and will be stationed in Israel.
In addition to overseeing the cease-fire, the soldiers will coordinate and monitor the delivery of humanitarian aid, logistical support and security in Gaza.
The Israeli government approved the first phase of the deal Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Thursday.
Both sides agreed to the larger deal earlier Thursday in Egypt, but it still must be ratified by Israel’s entire cabinet. Once the deal is ratified, the cease-fire will take effect within 24 hours.
But ratification isn’t a done deal. Two cabinet members — Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir — are expected to vote against it, the Jerusalem Post reported.
The Times of Israel reported that if the prisoner release happens, 250 prisoners serving life sentences in Israel will be released, along with 1,700 Gazans who have been arrested since the Oct.
