Drones are used, with Israel's consent, to monitor ground activity in the Gaza Strip. The monitoring missions are intended to support the new Civil-Military Coordination Center in southern Israel, established last week by U.S. Central Command in part to oversee the ceasefire.
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What are the purposes of the US use of drones in the Gaza Strip?
How many U.S. troops work at the Civil-Military Coordination Center?
What are the terms of the first phase of the truce?
Why is American surveillance considered invasive?
The US military has previously used drones in the Gaza Strip to help locate hostages. However, the latest US reconnaissance activities suggest that Washington wants to have its own information, independent of Israel, about what is happening in this territory – noted the “NYT” in Friday's text.
“If there was full trust between the US and Israel, there would be no need for this.”
About 200 US soldiers work at the American Civil-Military Coordination Center. The Americans are to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and “help facilitate the flow of humanitarian, logistical and security assistance” to the Gaza Strip, according to the plan.
“This is a very invasive version of American monitoring on the front where Israel sees threats to its security,” said Daniel B. Shapiro, former US ambassador to Israel. “If there was complete transparency and complete trust between Israel and the United States, there would be no need for this,” the NYT source added.
Uncertain agreement between Israel and Hamas
Under the first phase of the ceasefire, which has been in force since October 10, Israel has withdrawn to the agreed line inside the Gaza Strip, but still controls more than half of its area. The last 20 living hostages held in the Gaza Strip were also exchanged for nearly 2,000. Palestinian prisoners.
The second stage of the truce includes, among others: the sensitive issue of disarming Hamas, one of Israel's main demands. Representatives of the group ruling the Gaza Strip have repeatedly declared that they will not lay down their weapons. The plan also includes, among others: creation of a new Palestinian administration of the Gaza Strip and an international stabilization force.
