US Responds to Gaza Military Base Claim
The U.S. military has denied reports that it plans to build a $500-million base near Gaza, emphasizing that no American troops will be deployed to the territory as part of ongoing efforts to support a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday rejected claims from media outlets that the Pentagon was preparing to establish a large installation to oversee postwar stabilization and reconstruction under President Donald Trump's administration.
Newsweek has reached out to the State Department and the Pentagon for comment.
Why It Matters
The U.S. has played a central diplomatic role in securing and maintaining the ceasefire, working with regional partners to prevent renewed hostilities. Any suggestion of a permanent American military presence near Gaza could inflame regional tensions and draw political backlash both domestically and abroad.
The Trump administration-seeking to balance its support for Israel with humanitarian concerns for Palestinians-has emphasized that its role will remain advisory and logistical rather than military on the ground.
What to Know
On Tuesday, reports from a Israeli outlets like Ynet and Shomrim, citing unidentified Israeli officials, claimed that the U.S. was preparing to build a $500-million base near Gaza's border. The alleged facility would accommodate 10,000 people, including American troops. CENTCOM quickly dismissed the claim.
"Reports of the establishment of a U.S. military base near Gaza are inaccurate," CENTCOM spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins said in a statement Wednesday. "To be clear, no U.S. troops will be deployed into Gaza. Any reporting to the contrary is false."
Reports of a Temporary Base
The story was further complicated by a separate report from Bloomberg News on Tuesday, which noted that the U.S. Navy had circulated a request for information regarding a potential temporary base near Gaza. The internal document sought cost estimates for a "self-sustaining military base of operations capable of supporting 10,000 personnel and providing 10,000 square feet of office space for a period of 12 months."
Bloomberg emphasized that the request was not a formal solicitation for bids, and the proposed facility would not necessarily house U.S. troops.
Limited U.S. Presence in Israel
The clarification from CENTCOM coincides with ongoing questions about America's footprint in the region. Roughly 200 U.S. troops are currently stationed in Israel as part of the newly established Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC). The CMCC coordinates international humanitarian and security assistance into Gaza and monitors adherence to the ceasefire agreement. Officials stress that this presence is temporary and strictly focused on coordination and logistical support, not combat operations.
What People Are Saying
Captain Tim Hawkins, CENTCOM spokesman: "To be clear, no U.S. troops will be deployed into Gaza. Any reporting to the contrary is false."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, in response to the Bloomberg report, said on Tuesday: "This story is based on a single piece of paper produced by random people within the military. Such a plan has not been considered or approved by the highest levels of the United States government and should not be deemed as an official plan in the Middle East."
What Happens Next
The U.S. is expected to continue coordinating international aid and advising partners on security arrangements in Gaza without deploying combat forces. While planning for a multinational stabilization effort continues, American officials have reiterated that the U.S. military will not establish or operate a base near Gaza.
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
This story was originally published November 12, 2025 at 10:54 AM.