Civil-Military Coordination Center” — A U.S.–Israeli Cover to Dismantle UNRWA
Washington and Tel Aviv Systematically Engineering Parallel Aid Structure to Undermine UN Mandate and Impose Long-Term Control
Palestine, PUREWILAYAH.COM — As the Gaza Strip endures one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes in its history, efforts are intensifying to sideline the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), in favor of legitimizing a so-called “Civil-Military Coordination Center / CMCC.”
The entity, whose personnel have been documented killing civilians searching for food under direct U.S.–Israeli supervision in recent months, is being promoted by Washington as a “neutral humanitarian alternative.”
In reality, it serves an Israeli agenda seeking to restructure humanitarian operations and dismantle existing UN agencies.
U.S. Announces 40-Member Coordination Center
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that around 40 countries and international organizations have joined a U.S.–led Civil–Military Coordination Center (CMCC) operating in eastern Gaza.
“Representatives of nearly 40 states and international organizations are now present in the center,” CENTCOM said in a statement, noting it has been operating in “Israel” since October 17.
The representatives are tasked with coordinating commercial goods and aid flows, monitoring the ceasefire, supporting “stability” in Gaza, and advancing what Washington calls “lasting peace.”
This move is widely seen as an attempt to institutionalize the “Humanitarian Gaza Authority,” positioning it as the central coordinator for aid entry — despite UN objections asserting that only the United Nations is legally authorized to supervise humanitarian operations and deploy a stabilization force in Gaza.
“Redefining the Humanitarian Landscape”
A U.S. official told Reuters that the so-called “Gaza Humanitarian Belt” will serve as the backbone of the CMCC. It will consist of 12–16 aid hubs along the Israeli military’s withdrawal line inside Gaza.
This aid route coincides with deadly incidents targeting civilians searching for food.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, by October 10, 2023, 2,615 Palestinians had been killed while trying to secure food, with over 19,000 injured — exposing the operational nature of the authority and its connection to Israel’s control over crossings and supply chains.
While Washington and Tel Aviv seek to redefine humanitarian governance in Gaza to align with their post-war plans, the United Nations insists its role is binding under international law.
Excluding UNRWA, UN officials warn, constitutes a grave violation of humanitarian law and paves the way for dismantling the UN’s system in favor of political arrangements aimed at long-term trusteeship under the guise of aid.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres affirmed that the occupying forces are obstructing aid delivery, stressing that the UN alone is mandated to oversee stabilization forces in Gaza.
Gaza Authorities: “U.S. Claims Are Deliberate Deception”
Gaza’s Government Media Office rejected CENTCOM’s claim of “nearly 40” active humanitarian actors in Gaza, calling it systematic deception.
Only 22 organizations are operating on the ground, most facing Israeli restrictions that block and delay aid.
Since the ceasefire began on October 10, Israel has allowed only 24% of required aid trucks into Gaza.
Daily averages show 145 trucks entering Gaza — far below the agreed 600, including only a fraction of essential fuel shipments. From October 10–31, only 115 fuel trucks entered out of 1,100 — a mere 10% compliance rate — exacerbating life-threatening shortages in hospitals, bakeries, and essential services.
Meanwhile, thousands of aid trucks remain stuck at border crossings, including 6,000 UNRWA trucks holding six months’ worth of food, plus tents and shelter supplies urgently needed as winter approaches. 96% of Gaza’s population faces acute food insecurity.
UNRWA says 75,000 displaced Palestinians shelter in more than 100 agency buildings, many damaged and overcrowded. Shelter materials and winter supplies remain blocked in Egypt and Jordan.
Israel Moves to Criminalize UNRWA and Aid Groups
Israel alleges UNRWA employees took part in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, 2023 — accusations UNRWA denies, with the UN affirming the agency’s neutrality.
In October 2024, the Israeli Knesset passed laws banning UNRWA operations and stripping all privileges and permissions, criminalizing official contact.
UNRWA spokesperson Adnan Abu Hasna stated that U.S. hostility toward the agency began under President Trump in 2018 when Washington halted funding. Biden restored support, then Trump froze it again upon returning to office this year. The U.S. contributes 25–30% of UNRWA’s budget, exceeding $7 billion since its founding.
In October 2024, the International Court of Justice confirmed UNRWA’s neutrality and found no evidence of infiltration by Palestinian groups. The Court stressed Israel’s obligation to facilitate UN humanitarian aid.
Israeli Restrictions Shut Down Dozens of Aid Groups
Haaretz reported that Israel forced dozens of humanitarian organizations in Gaza and the West Bank to cease operations, after transferring NGO licensing from the Welfare Ministry to the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs in March.
Organizations must now submit extensive files including personal data on foreign and Palestinian staff and their families. The ministry can reject permits if it claims an organization “denies Israel’s identity as a Jewish and democratic state” or supports prosecuting Israelis abroad for war crimes.
The decision has stranded thousands of tons of food and relief supplies outside Gaza.
For two years, Israel — with full U.S. backing — has waged a campaign of genocide in Gaza since October 8, 2023. More than 68,800 Palestinians have been martyred, with 176,70+ injured, 10,000 missing, and 90% of civilian infrastructure destroyed.
UN estimates place reconstruction costs at $70 billion. (PW)