US Weighs 10,000-Person Base Near Gaza as White House Denies Plan

The US military is evaluating a US Navy inquiry about a possible temporary base near Gaza that could house 10,000 people, a document that has triggered public denials from the White House and US Central Command.

The internal request for information, reviewed by Bloomberg, asked pre-approved contractors for cost estimates to build a “temporary, self-sustaining military base” with 10,000 square feet (929 square meters) of office space for one year.

It outlined capabilities to operate independently, including having its own power, water, waste management, food service, communications networks, medical care, and a full security plan covering access control and emergency response.

Sent in late October with responses due in early November, the inquiry listed the location only as “near Gaza, Israel.” Only companies under the naval force’s Worldwide Expeditionary Multiple Award Contract program, which supports overseas projects, were eligible to respond.

Request for information documents serve as routine early-stage planning tools focusing on exploratory strategies and do not signal a final decision.

Stabilization Force Planning

US officials say the inquiry relates to early groundwork for an International Stabilization Force that would put foreign troops, not Americans, into Gaza to help oversee the ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian military group Hamas and support reconstruction.

“As a planning organization, the US military is currently working with international military partners to develop potential options for basing international troops,” Bloomberg quoted CENTCOM spokesperson Tim Hawkins as saying.

“To be clear, no US troops will be deployed into Gaza.”

Another US official, speaking anonymously, said the inquiry reflects initial planning for a site in southern Israel that could support the multinational mission.

Currently, the US already has about 200 personnel at a coordination center in southern Israel focusing on humanitarian and security logistics tied to the ceasefire.

White House, Israel Push Back on Media Reports

The US Navy inquiry prompted speculation after Israeli outlets Ynet and Shomrim claimed the US intended to build a $500-million base along the Gaza border.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed those claims in a recent briefing, saying the story was “based on a single piece of paper produced by random people within the military,” according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

“Such a plan has not been considered or approved by the highest levels of the United States government and should not be deemed as an official plan in the Middle East,” she added.

Meanwhile, Israel Defense Forces International Spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said he had no firm details to share but acknowledged ongoing discussions with Washington.

“We are working alongside the Americans and different partners on the future in Gaza,” he said. “There are different ideas on the table.”