Tulsi Gabbard Visits Israel’s Civil-Military Center, Highlights U.S. Role in Gaza Ceasefire Oversight

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard made a surprise visit yesterday to the U.S.-operated Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat, as American forces move ahead with phase two of the Gaza ceasefire deal.

“It’s a living example of what can happen when nations unite for common interests with the potential impact of lasting peace that benefits generations to come,” Gabbard told Fox News about the CMCC.

The CMCC, established last week by U.S. Central Command, will coordinate stabilization efforts inside Gaza and oversee the humanitarian and security assistance being developed under the Trump-brokered 20-Point Plan. “For the first time in a generation, there’s a genuine sense of hope and optimism, not just in Israel, but across the Middle East,” Gabbard said. “That’s because of President Trump’s leadership and the groundwork he laid through his historic peace deal.”

Intelligence sharing is central to the plan’s success, and one of the reasons Gabbard came to Israel to see operations first-hand. She revealed that 16 countries and 20 NGOs are currently working side-by-side as part of the multinational civilian and military force aimed at bringing stability to Gaza. “The American people should know that the U.S. presence at the CMCC is about leadership, coordination, and service,” she said.

Around 200 U.S. service members are stationed at the CMCC, though none will enter Gaza. Instead, a coalition of Arab forces is expected to send stabilization personnel into the enclave to help implement the peace plan. “In conversations I had with leaders from across the region, including in Manama, people spoke openly and hopefully about a future defined not by conflict, but by cooperation and stability,” Gabbard said. “Progress is possible with strong leadership and a shared vision for peace.”

Meanwhile, U.S. officials confirmed that American surveillance drones have begun flying over the Gaza Strip to monitor compliance with the ceasefire, which remains rocky after last week’s Hamas attacks and Israeli strikes in the area. Two Israeli military officials and one U.S. defense official told The New York Times that the drones operate with Israel’s consent and are assisting the CMCC’s monitoring work.

While the U.S. military previously used drones to locate hostages, the new flights aim to provide Washington with an independent assessment of ground conditions in Gaza, reflecting the expanding American role in ensuring the ceasefire holds.

Gabbard, who also visited the Kerem Shalom Crossing along the Gaza border, is expected to meet today with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of her visit to Israel.