Inside the Multinational Center in Israel That Distributes Aid to Gaza

By John Fredricks

Kiryat Gat, ISRAEL—At a multilevel building originally used for rental storage spaces, soldiers of both the U.S. Army and Israel Defense Forces walked through the front entry point to join their teammates at the Civil-Military Coordination Center, a multinational hub for providing humanitarian assistance to civilians caught in the embattled Gaza Strip.

Opening soon after world leaders signed a U.S.-brokered plan to end the war between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group, the center began humanitarian aid operations on Oct. 17, 2025.

The skyline of the city of Beit Lahia, Gaza is seen from over the Israeli border wall, on Nov. 19, 2025. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) — The skyline of the city of Beit Lahia, Gaza is seen from over the Israeli border wall, on Nov. 19, 2025. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

US Takes the Lead

U.S. military officials describe the center as “essential for a peaceful transition” in Gaza. The center is monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.

“We currently have over 21 countries working on the military side of things, along with other nations working through nongovernmental organizations as we work together in logistics and aid,” U.S. Army Major Donald Criswell told reporters on Nov. 20.

U.S. Army soldiers provide logistical assistance for the Gaza Strip at the Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, Israel, on Nov. 20, 2025. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) — U.S. Army soldiers provide logistical assistance for the Gaza Strip at the Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, Israel, on Nov. 20, 2025. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Giant screens with live maps of the Gaza Strip glow in front of the main working area of the center. Dozens of desks sit reserved for European, American, and Israeli military personnel.

Smaller sections are broken off into pods featuring collaborative spaces. In one pod, two groups could be seen working together on engineering and security projects.

“The pods are our working groups with some examples being in Intelligence and Assistance efforts,” Criswell told reporters.

“These groups have the ability to cross share real-time information, which allows aid to get to Gaza faster.”

Along with American and Israeli military members, other soldiers could be seen working at the center, including staff from Italy and France. Dozens of plainclothes contractors peered over charts and computer screens.

A coalition of U.S., Israeli, and foreign militaries, along with multinational civilian personnel, work together to provide humanitarian assistance for the Gaza Strip at the Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, Israel, on Nov. 20, 2025. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) — A coalition of U.S., Israeli, and foreign militaries, along with multinational civilian personnel, work together to provide humanitarian assistance for the Gaza Strip at the Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, Israel, on Nov. 20, 2025. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Military officials assured reporters that American troops would not be taking part in any combat operations in the region.

Approximately 200 U.S. service members under the authority of Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank, commander of U.S. Army Central, are taking part in the center’s operations. The U.S. staff have expertise in transportation, planning, security, logistics, and engineering.

The Toll of War

Thirty minutes southwest of the center, several observers in Israel’s Southern District looked through binoculars at the battle-torn skyline of the Gazan city of Beit Lahia, now in complete ruins after months of war.

“Most of our soldiers are now deployed deeper south into Gaza at this time, so you might not have the best view with those binoculars,” an Israeli tour guide told a young couple from Canada. “But as you can see, this war has taken its toll on everyone.”

Their attention then turned to the glass walls of the viewing area, where dozens of stickers featuring the photos of Israeli soldiers who died contrasted with the horizon of Gaza’s obliterated skyline.

The majority of those pictured appeared to be young men and women.

On Nov. 17, the U.N. Security Council approved the U.S.-drafted resolution for ending the conflict. The approval was considered a breakthrough for the Trump administration’s 20-point plan to broker peace in the region, according to the United Nations.

China and Russia abstained from the vote.

“We rapidly launched the Civil-Military Coordination Center, secured a U.N. Security Council resolution backing the establishment of the International Stabilization Force and Board of Peace, and are seeing substantial humanitarian assistance flow into Gaza and reach the Gazan people so desperately in need,” a State Department spokesman told The Epoch Times by email.

“This is all despite Hamas’s continued and brutal efforts to repress Gazans and exploit humanitarian assistance.”

Stickers are placed in memory of fallen Israeli Defense Force personnel in Sderot, Israel, on Nov. 19, 2025. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) — Stickers are placed in memory of fallen Israeli Defense Force personnel in Sderot, Israel, on Nov. 19, 2025. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

On Nov. 19, U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, officials told the Epoch Times that hundreds of trucks filled with humanitarian aid supplies were successfully delivered into the Gaza region.

Most of the Gaza Strip currently sits in ruins, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. The majority of Gaza’s 2.1 million people are now living in tents.