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Trump's Board of Peace Unveils $2.45 Billion Gaza Reconstruction Plan
Confirmed
In Short: At a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, the Board of Peace unveiled a $2.45 billion plan to begin reconstruction in Gaza, a proposal that aims to address the extensive damage caused by Israeli attacks.
At a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, the Board of Peace unveiled a $2.45 billion plan to begin reconstruction in Gaza, a proposal that aims to address the extensive damage caused by Israeli attacks.
The plan, which includes 66 projects, covers temporary housing, hospital repairs, rubble removal, and economic recovery. However, the full cost of reconstruction is estimated at $35 billion over the medium term and an additional $71.4 billion over the next decade.
The Board of Peace's high representative, Nikolay Mladenov, emphasized that the proposed plan hinges on Hamas's disarmament. Hamas and other Palestinian factions agreed in July to a document setting out a plan for their disarmament, but progress on the ground has been minimal.
Al Jazeera's Kristen Saloomey reported that little progress has been made on the ground in Gaza, with Israel yet to withdraw its troops as agreed. Meanwhile, Israeli attacks continue, with seven Palestinians killed across the enclave on Tuesday.
The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada criticized Israel for blocking a two-state solution and called for the alleviation of suffering in Gaza. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed his country's commitment to the Gaza ceasefire agreement and demanded immediate reconstruction.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told a press conference that several countries have pledged financial assistance, but substantial donations are still needed. The board has received only $280 million of the $18 billion pledged so far.
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, a board member, emphasized the responsibility on the international community to support the reconstruction efforts. However, the plan faces significant challenges, including ensuring security for those operating in Gaza and finding consensus between Israeli and Palestinian officials.
The Board of Peace acknowledged that the ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, but the broader process to rebuild Gaza under their guidance has largely stalled. The Israeli military now occupies about 60% of Gaza, while Hamas has not given up its weapons.
Despite these challenges, the Board of Peace remains committed to the reconstruction effort. Jared Kushner, a board member and Trump's son-in-law, conceded that the project faces delays but stressed the need to move forward.
What this adds
The report adds that the Board of Peace's plan faces substantial hurdles, including security concerns and the need for significant additional funding.
What's confirmed
- The board estimates full recovery and reconstruction will require about $71.4bn over the next decade.
- In addition to fundraising, the plan faces significant challenges including how to ensure security for those operating in Gaza, overhaul internal governance and find consensus between Israeli and Palestinians officials.
- The Board of Peace said, “The need is immense,” and it estimated full reconstruction from the physical damage across Gaza will cost roughly $35.2 billion over the medium term and another $71.4 billion in the next 10 years.
What's still developing
- "The goal of today was really just to show you that we're really fully committed to doing it," he told the meeting of board members and stakeholders.
- Michael Eisenberg, an Israeli-American Board of Peace member, told the BBC's Newshour programme what the next steps were likely to be.
- At least 1,381 Palestinians, including 300 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since the US-brokered ceasefire began, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, whose figures are considered reliable by the UN.
- In July, Hamas said it had accepted a disarmament plan for Gaza which will see it lay down its arms, provided Israel ends "all forms of aggression" and withdraws its forces from Gaza.
- But that was later rejected by Netanyahu, who said the military would stay in Gaza until Hamas is "genuinely" disarmed.
- At a meeting of the group's board, the governors unveiled a 66-project blueprint to get things started while acknowledging enormous hurdles that must still be overcome.
- WATCH: Netanyahu faces pressure after report alleges he brushed off warnings ahead of Oct. 7 The board's high representative, Nikolay Mladenov, has said progress hinges largely on Hamas disarming — a step the group has refused to take so far.