At one of Kiryat Gat’s main shopping centers, American soldiers in uniform are now a daily sight — ordering shawarma, walking through malls, and talking with curious locals. The southern Israeli city, once known mostly for its factories and quiet neighborhoods, has become a symbol of what happens when global politics meets everyday life.
“Big guys, all in perfect formation,” one shopkeeper told Walla News, “like they came out of a Hollywood movie.”
— via The Times of Israel, Deborah Danan, October 28, 2025
The troops are part of a new Civil-Military Coordination Center created to monitor the Gaza ceasefire. About 200 American personnel are stationed there, alongside representatives from several other nations.
For some, their presence is a welcome reminder that Israel is not alone. “They were received with open arms,” said Mayor Kfir Swisa, adding that the Americans are discovering what young Israelis already know — that Kiryat Gat is a city with promise.
“They haven’t asked for a hamburger yet,” Swisa joked. “They’re enjoying the local Kiryat Gat food.”
Yet not everyone is laughing. Some residents have voiced concern that foreign troops make the city a target. Others worry about what the center represents: a growing international hand in Israel’s affairs.
As columnist Meir Ben Shabbat noted in Israel Hayom, “Israel must eliminate the vagueness concerning headquarters and mediation and coordination entities.” The heart of the question is one Israelis have asked for generations — who truly holds authority in the land promised by God?
In the midst of these debates, ordinary life goes on. Cafés stay open late. Delivery drivers rush orders to bases. And store owners like Shai Avisror, a displaced Israeli from Kibbutz Zikim, offer a free drink to anyone in uniform. “Soldiers are the holy of holies,” he said.
It is a small kindness, but a powerful one. In a region weary from conflict, it shows that hospitality and respect can still be acts of strength.
As Christians who love Israel, we can see both the complexity and the beauty here — the tension between sovereignty and partnership, and the resilience of a people who choose community even when surrounded by uncertainty.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure.’” (Psalm 122:6, NIV)
Today’s Prayer
Lord, bless the people of Kiryat Gat and every city carrying the weight of conflict. Protect those who serve in peacekeeping missions. Strengthen Israel’s leaders to act with wisdom and courage. Let friendship grow between nations, but let Your hand always guide the destiny of Israel. Amen.
Source: Deborah Danan, “US troops in Kiryat Gat overseeing Gaza truce turn sleepy city into unexpected hotspot,” The Times of Israel, October 28, 2025.
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