The U.S. Army has recently begun using its drones over the Gaza Strip to monitor compliance with the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas, American media reported on Saturday, according to LETA citing DPA.
According to The New York Times, with the consent of the Israeli side, aerial photographs are being taken of events in the Gaza Strip. The publication cites sources in the U.S. and Israeli armed forces.
The use of drones supports the operations of the U.S. coordination center in southern Israel, which monitors humanitarian needs and compliance with the ceasefire.
However, the publication emphasizes that the U.S. would prefer to use drones to form its own assessment of the situation rather than rely solely on Israeli intelligence.
Israeli officials have described the use of American drones as quite unusual. Additionally, sources in the U.S. government expressed doubts this week about whether Israel would actually adhere to all the agreements necessary to maintain the fragile ceasefire.
On Friday, the U.S. appointed a civilian leader for the ceasefire monitoring structure in Gaza — American career diplomat Steve Feigin.
Feigin will work alongside U.S. Army Lieutenant General Patrick Frank, who was previously appointed as the military leader of this structure established after the ceasefire was established on October 10.
The civilian and military coordination center was created on October 17 in southern Israel to monitor compliance with the ceasefire and organize logistics, including the delivery of aid to the war-torn Gaza Strip.
About 200 American military personnel have been sent to this center, located in a rented warehouse. They work alongside military personnel from Israel and European countries, representatives from the UAE and Jordan, as well as staff from the UN and humanitarian organizations.
On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the coordination center located near the Gaza Strip, calling its establishment a historic event.
