The US military and civilian leaders of Washington’s flagship mission for Gaza have stepped aside, but their replacements have yet to be made public, as European countries rethink their presence in the initiative to reshape Gaza.
The top military officer at the Civil-Military Command Centre, a three-star lieutenant general, is expected to be replaced by a US commander of a lower rank, while the top civilian has returned to his job as US ambassador to Yemen.
The CMCC was set up in October in the first phase of President Donald Trump’s plan to end the Gaza conflict and is meant to supervise the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, facilitate the entry of aid and shape Gaza policy.
The overhaul in its leadership comes amid what western officials and diplomats say is growing uncertainty over the body’s future role, as Trump pursues the next phase of his plan including by setting up a “Board of Peace” of foreign dignitaries to supervise Gaza policy.
Gen Patrick Frank, the top commander of US forces in the Middle East, has been leading the CMCC in southern Israel since it was established. The US military announced last month that he was being promoted to deputy head of Central Command.
