(MENAFN) A senior Pentagon official reiterated Tuesday that the United States will not deploy troops inside the Gaza Strip, though preparations are underway to base international forces near the territory.

The official described reports in Israeli media about a large US military installation as “inaccurate,” but confirmed that “as a planning organization, U.S. military personnel are currently working with international military partners to develop potential options for basing international troops that are part of a future International Stabilization Force (ISF).”

“The ISF’s formation will support the President’s Gaza Peace Plan,” the official added. “To be clear, no U.S. troops will be deployed into Gaza. Any reporting to the contrary is false.”

Media reports suggested that Washington intends to construct a $500 million military base near the Gaza border, large enough to accommodate thousands of troops, which would mark a notable expansion of US activity in the region. The base is reportedly intended to support post-war stabilization and humanitarian efforts, forming part of the broader ISF initiative.

Currently, 200 US personnel are stationed at a Civil-Military Coordination Center in southern Israel to monitor the Gaza ceasefire. The center is expected to manage humanitarian aid distribution within Gaza, excluding Israeli governmental oversight mechanisms.

The Gaza ceasefire, effective since Oct. 10 under a 20-point US-backed plan, includes releasing Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, rebuilding Gaza, and establishing a governing framework independent of Hamas. Since October 2023, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have resulted in over 69,000 deaths and 170,600 injuries, according to local health authorities.

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