96 American special forces veterans for Gaza checkpoint duty
UG Solutions, a small U.S. security firm is hiring nearly 100 US special forces veterans to help run a checkpoint in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas truce, according to a company spokesperson and a recruitment email seen by Reuters, introducing armed American contractors into the heart of one of the world's most violent conflict zones
UG Solutions - a low-profile company founded in 2023 and based in Davidson, North Carolina - is offering a daily rate starting at $1,100 with a $10,000 advance to veterans it hires, the email said
They will staff the checkpoint at a key intersection in Gaza's interior, said the spokesperson, who confirmed the authenticity of the email
Some people have been recruited and are already at the checkpoint, said the spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity He did not say how many contractors were already in Gaza
UG Solutions' role in the ceasefire deal has been reported but the email disclosed previously unknown details including the aim of recruiting 96 veterans exclusively with US special operations forces backgrounds, the pay and the types of weapons they will carry
Reuters reported on January 7 that Emirati officials had suggested the use of private contractors as part of a post-war peacekeeping force in Gaza and that the idea had caused concern among Western nations
Deployment raises concerns of Americans, in Middle East conflict zone
The deployment of armed US contractors in Gaza, where Hamas remains a potent force after 16 months of war, is unprecedented and poses the risk that Americans could be drawn into fighting as President Donald Trump's administration seeks to keep the Hamas-Israel conflict from reigniting
