New tensions have emerged between the United States and Israel over allegations that Israeli authorities conducted surveillance on American and allied personnel at a U.S.-led monitoring center in southern Israel established to oversee the fragile Gaza ceasefire. U.S. Military officials are concerned about Israel spying on Americans—recording meetings and monitoring their activity in the CMCC facility.
According to multiple reports, the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), a joint operations hub set up under a ceasefire agreement earlier this year, became the focus of dispute when U.S. military officials raised concerns that Israeli personnel were recording meetings and monitoring activity inside the facility.
The U.S. commander of the center reportedly confronted his Israeli counterpart, demanding that the recordings and surveillance stop. Diplomats, humanitarian workers, and allied personnel said they were sometimes cautioned against sharing sensitive information during CMCC discussions out of fear it could be accessed by Israeli intelligence.
Israeli officials have denied the allegations, labeling them “absurd” and asserting that discussions at the center involve unclassified information. Nevertheless, the dispute highlights deeper questions about trust and cooperation between Washington and Tel Aviv even as they jointly navigate the complex task of implementing a peace agreement in one of the world’s most persistent conflict zones.
What the CMCC Is and Why It Matters
Established in October 2025 following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the CMCC serves as a coordination hub for U.S., Israeli, British, Emirati, and other international personnel involved in facilitating humanitarian aid into Gaza and monitoring adherence to the ceasefire terms. About 200 U.S. troops, already stationed in the Middle East, were detailed to the center to help oversee its mission.
The center was designed not only to help ensure aid deliveries reach Gaza’s devastated population but also to build confidence among partners that the agreed pause in fighting is upheld. The CMCC includes military, diplomatic, and aid representatives from multiple countries, and is intended to be a model for shared oversight.
Broader Context
The spying allegations come at a sensitive moment in U.S.-Israeli relations. While the two countries remain close strategic partners, there have been occasional strains over intelligence sharing and military operations. Reports have previously surfaced indicating the U.S. temporarily paused certain intelligence sharing with Israel during the Biden administration due to concerns about conduct in Gaza, though overall cooperation continued.
Experts say that trust between military partners is vital in joint operations, particularly when civilian lives and humanitarian access are at stake. The current situation underscores how fragile that trust can be when allegations of covert monitoring surface, even between longstanding allies.
Looking Ahead
U.S. military officials have sought to contain the situation by emphasizing continued cooperation, while calling for clarity on the limits of information sharing inside the CMCC. Israel’s denials have so far been firm, signaling that the issue may hinge on differing interpretations of what constitutes legitimate documentation versus intrusive surveillance.
As international stakeholders continue to push for stable implementation of the Gaza ceasefire and more predictable humanitarian access, how this is resolved could shape future collaboration on peace efforts in the region.
