US withdrawing troops from Gaza coordination centre, planning Gaza partition

The United States is reducing its troop presence at the Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) for Gaza, in moves to advance US President Donald Trump's Gaza ceasefire plan, Haaretz reported on Saturday.

The centre in Kiryat Gat, a settlement built on the ruins of the ethnically-cleansed Palestinian villages of al-Faluja and al-Manshiya, is currently tasked with monitoring the truce between Israel and Hamas.

American sources who spoke to the Israeli newspaper said some of the 200 US soldiers stationed at the centre have already left, with preparations underway to hand over control to the controversial foreign-led 'peace council' detailed in the Trump plan.

"As outlined in the United Nations Security Council resolution adopted this week, the Board of Peace will coordinate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and facilitate Gaza's development," a US official said.

"It will also support a technocratic committee of Palestinians responsible for day-to-day operations of Gaza's civil service and administration while the Palestinian Authority implements its reform program," he added.

Two sources familiar with the centre's operations, as well as a source based at the centre, said that developing so-called "safe communities" for Gazans is high on Washington's agenda.

These temporary housing complexes would be built within the area of Gaza under Israeli control, effectively dividing Gaza into two parts. One US official who spoke to Haaretz said Washington is considering confiscating Palestinian land for the construction of the houses and compensating the owners.

The same source said plans to move rubble in Gaza to facilitate construction is progressing rapidly, with little opposition to the US plan from other countries at the CMCC.

Last week, The Guardian published a report citing US military officials who disclosed details of a plan to develop the Israeli-controlled areas of Gaza east of the 'Yellow Line', while leaving the rest of Gaza in ruins.

Ethical concerns have been raised by the states in the CMCCC, including who will live in the "safe areas", what the criteria for residency will be, whtether they will be allowed to leave, and what will happen to the original land owners.

Other sources cited by Haaretz said some states are seeking to persuade Washington to give the Palestinian Authority a role in administering the neighbourhoods.

Several sources said to the Israeli newspaper that decisions are made centrally in Washington with Israeli consultation, thus limiting the effect of pressure from foreign parties to the CMCC.

Israel's 'Yellow Line' divides Gaza into two sections, with Hamas attempting to reassert its control in much of the areas west of the line. 

The second phase of Trump's 20-point plan calls for Hamas to disarm - a demand rejected by the group.

The plan also outlines the creation of an International Stabilisation Force to be deployed in Gaza, with discussions ongoing about the nature of the force's mission. Some states, including Egypt and Jordan, have raised concerns that the force should not be expected to enforce the ceasefire and disarm the Palestinian faction.