Around 200 US troops arrived in Israel to create a coordination centre supporting humanitarian aid and logistical operations for Gaza.
US officials said the troops would not enter Gaza but would manage relief, logistics, and security coordination from Israel.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Central Command head Brad Cooper inspected Gaza’s first phase of Israeli troop withdrawal on Saturday.
“This mission will succeed without US boots in Gaza,” Cooper stated, confirming his command’s leadership role in the effort.
Ceasefire Spurs Relief and Reconstruction
Under the truce, Hamas will release 48 hostages by Monday, with about 20 believed to be alive.
Israel will free roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange, officials confirmed.
Gaza authorities reported more than 5,000 public operations since the ceasefire began, including infrastructure and medical repairs.
Humanitarian workers completed 700 food distribution missions to assist displaced families.
The World Food Programme prepared to reopen 145 food points across Gaza once Israel permits expanded access.
Before the blockade in March, UN agencies distributed food through 400 locations.
The United Nations confirmed Israel’s approval to increase aid deliveries starting Sunday.
Palestinians Return to Devastated Homes
Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians returned to northern Gaza through dust-covered streets.
Gaza’s civil defence reported 500,000 people arrived in Gaza City since the ceasefire took hold.
“When families return, they’ll find rubble where homes once stood,” UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram said from central Gaza.
Ingram urged for a massive influx of aid to address two years of war damage.
Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza received 45 bodies recovered from rubble over the past day.
Staff said the victims had been missing for up to two weeks during the offensive.
US President Donald Trump plans to travel to Egypt for the signing of the Gaza peace deal, marking a potential end to the two-year war.
