Nearly 100 US Special Forces vets hired to operate key checkpoints in Gaza

A U.S.-based security firm has hired nearly 100 former U.S. Special Forces personnel to help operate a key checkpoint in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The North Carolina-based UG Solutions, founded in 2023, is leading the effort, offering a daily rate of at least $1,100 with an upfront $10,000 advance for hired personnel, according to a recruitment email verified by company officials.

The contractors will be stationed at a major checkpoint inside Gaza, which serves as a critical passage for civilians and aid shipments. A spokesperson for UG Solutions confirmed some recruits are already on-site but did not specify how many.

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Role of U.S. contractors in Gaza checkpoint operations

The U.S. contractors’ primary mission is vehicle inspection and checkpoint security, ensuring compliance with ceasefire terms. They will not interact directly with civilians, according to a Palestinian official familiar with the agreement.

Instead, their role is focused on monitoring traffic along the Netzarim Corridor, a critical road dividing northern and southern Gaza, as well as Salah al-Din Street, the enclave’s main north-south route.

The security personnel will be armed with M4 rifles and Glock pistols, weapons commonly used by U.S. and Israeli forces. While rules of engagement have been established, UG Solutions has not publicly disclosed them.

Ceasefire deal involves private and regional security forces

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel confirmed that Israel insisted on including a private security firm in the ceasefire agreement. The checkpoint operation will also involve Egyptian security forces, who have reportedly been training for months in counterterrorism operations.

The United States government was not directly involved in selecting UG Solutions or awarding the contract, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. Instead, funding for the security operation comes from Israel and undisclosed Arab nations that played a role in brokering the ceasefire.

Concerns over security and risks to American contractors

The deployment of U.S. private contractors in Gaza is unprecedented and raises security concerns. Hamas remains a powerful force in the region, and experts warn that American personnel could become targets for militants or individuals angered by U.S. support for Israel.

Former Israeli intelligence officer Avi Melamed acknowledged the risks, saying, “Of course there is a threat they will face.”

Other analysts suggest that Hamas may tolerate the contractors’ presence because their role in reopening crossings reinforces Hamas’ claims of victory in the ceasefire negotiations.

U.S. history with private military contractors

The use of private U.S. security contractors in conflict zones has been controversial. The most infamous case occurred in 2007, when Blackwater personnel killed 14 civilians in Baghdad’s Nisour Square, sparking international outrage. Four contractors were convicted in the U.S. but later pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2020.

In another case, four Blackwater operatives were killed by insurgents in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004, leading to a large-scale U.S. military response. Critics argue that deploying armed contractors in volatile regions can escalate conflicts.

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Future of private security in Gaza

The current ceasefire, mediated by Egypt and Qatar with U.S. support, is set to last 60 days. During this time, tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians are expected to return to northern Gaza, traveling through the checkpoint operated by UG Solutions and regional security forces.

It remains unclear whether UG Solutions’ contract will be extended beyond the ceasefire period. For now, U.S. officials and international observers are closely monitoring the security situation, particularly regarding how American contractors navigate the risks of operating in Gaza.