US Military Explores Massive Temporary Base Near Gaza Strip
The United States military is actively investigating the possibility of establishing a substantial temporary base with capacity for 10,000 personnel in close proximity to the Gaza Strip. This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to assemble an international stabilization force that would monitor the fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
According to documents obtained by Bloomberg News, the Navy has reached out to pre-qualified companies seeking cost estimates for what it describes as "a temporary, 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." This Request for Information was dispatched to eligible contractors on October 31, with responses required by November 3, according to two anonymous sources familiar with the confidential deliberations.
International Stabilization Force Takes Shape
The proposed base would serve as headquarters for the International Stabilization Force, a multinational troop contingent that the US has been advocating to help secure the truce between Israel and Hamas that was formally signed last month. These international troops would collaborate closely with both Israeli and Egyptian authorities to ensure security in the territory and facilitate reconstruction efforts following more than two years of intense conflict.
Tim Hawkins, spokesman for US Central Command, clarified the military's position stating, "As a planning organization, the US military is currently working with international military partners to develop potential options for basing international troops" that would participate in the force. He emphatically added, "To be clear, no U.S. troops will be deployed into Gaza."
An unidentified US official confirmed that the request represents preliminary planning stages for a potential base in southern Israel specifically designated for the stabilization force. Since President Donald Trump oversaw the ceasefire signing, the US has already enhanced its regional presence with additional assets, including a command center staffed by 200 US troops and international partners currently operating in southern Israel.
White House and Israeli Response
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt tempered expectations by noting that the White House has not yet granted approval for such a step, characterizing the document as "a single piece of paper produced by random people within the military." It's important to understand that Requests for Information do not constitute formal bidding processes and don't guarantee future contracts, though they provide insight into what federal agencies are considering sourcing from private sector companies.
When questioned about the prospect of a substantial US base being constructed, Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani responded cautiously on Tuesday, indicating he had no concrete information to share. "We are working alongside the Americans and different partners on the future in Gaza," Shoshani stated. "There are different ideas on the table." Israel, while heavily dependent on US military aid and equipment, has historically been reluctant to permit US military bases on its soil, and those that have been allowed remained comparatively small in scale.
The Request for Information outlines that the selected contractor must deliver "a complete turnkey solution," meaning they would manage every aspect of the base's construction and ongoing operation. The comprehensive requirements include providing three daily meals for all 10,000 personnel, managing water and waste systems, power generation, laundry services, establishing reliable communication networks, and operating a medical clinic.
Among the specific security provisions detailed in the contract is the necessity for a "comprehensive security plan that includes procedures for access control, threat response, incident reporting, and mass casualty events." The companies eligible for this potential contract are part of the WEXMAC (Worldwide Expeditionary Multiple Award Contract) system, managed by the US Navy's Naval Supply Systems Command.
This same contracting mechanism was previously utilized to award a $1.26 billion contract in July for constructing a 5,000-bed tent camp on an El Paso Army base. Israeli nonprofit news organization Shomrim reported earlier Tuesday that the US was indeed planning a large base in the Gaza area to oversee the ceasefire, citing Israeli officials who had reviewed preliminary plans.
