U.S. to Send 200 Troops to Israel in Support Roles

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The United States is sending 200 troops to Israel to monitor the implementation of the cease-fire deal in Gaza, American officials said Thursday.

The officials said the U.S. Central Command, led by Adm. Brad Cooper, will establish a civil-military coordination center in Israel to provide security and humanitarian support.

The American troops, reporting to Admiral Cooper, will join soldiers from nations in the region, including Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates to provide oversight. The American troops are not intended to go into Gaza, one of the U.S. officials said.

The first of the 200 troops have already started to arrive in Israel and more will follow over the weekend to begin setting up the new coordination center. The troops are mostly military planners and specialists in logistics, security and other support fields.