European governments are re-evaluating their deployment of personnel to the US-led coordination hub for Gaza, citing a failure to enhance humanitarian aid flows or achieve political breakthroughs, according to Reuters.
The Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC), established in southern Israel last October under President Donald Trump's peace plan, was tasked with monitoring the ceasefire and developing post-war policies. Reuters noted that nations including France, Germany, Britain, Egypt, and the UAE sent staff to influence the enclave's future.
Run by a US general with Israeli and American troops, the CMCC was a pillar of Trump's phase one ceasefire plan. However, eight foreign diplomats told Reuters that officials from some European states have not returned to the facility near the Gaza border since the holiday season.
One Western diplomat described the center as "directionless", while another told the outlet, "Everybody thinks it's a disaster, but there is no alternative." Reuters reported that this previously undisclosed rethink reflects broader unease among Washington's allies regarding Trump's unorthodox policies on Venezuela, Gaza, and Greenland.
While some governments consider reducing their presence or withdrawing entirely, they declined to be identified, Reuters stated.
Washington declared the start of phase two last week, focusing on reconstruction. Meanwhile, the border with Egypt remains closed due to Israeli objections, and diplomats told Reuters that aid volumes have not risen meaningfully since the truce, despite widespread malnutrition.
Sources told Reuters that many trucks entering Gaza carry commercial goods, and Israel retains control over aid policy despite the CMCC's mandate. Israel bans "dual-use" items, and diplomats noted no concessions have been made on materials like metal tent poles. An Israeli official in the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) unit official told Reuters that 45% of trucks since October were commercial but argued humanitarian aid takes priority. The official admitted to restrictions on dual-use goods but pointed to alternatives such as wood.
CMCC personnel have produced "white papers" on governance and rebuilding, but their implementation is uncertain, Reuters reported. Diplomats indicated that countries are unlikely to formally exit the center to avoid angering Trump and to preserve the option of future engagement. They also fear that leaving would cede more post-war policy influence to Israel, as no Palestinians are present at the hub.
