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Trump's Board of Peace Unveils $2.45bn Gaza Recovery Plan, But Funding Gap Persists

66 programmes over six months aim to address housing, power, and waste; only $280m of $18bn pledged has been handed over

By LineZotpaper
Published
Updated
Read Time2 min
Sources4 outlets
US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace has announced a $2.45bn Gaza recovery plan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, outlining 66 programmes over six months focused on housing, diesel generation, and waste removal. However, the board acknowledged a significant funding shortfall, with $18bn pledged but only $280m delivered so far, and the full reconstruction cost estimated at $71bn over the next decade.

The plan, unveiled at a meeting of board members and stakeholders in New York, is the latest effort to address the destruction in Gaza nearly a year after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into force. Jared Kushner, a Gaza Executive Board member and Trump's son-in-law, conceded the programme faced "different delays on different things, for whatever reason," but said "the goal of today was really just to show you that we're really fully committed to doing it."

US envoy Steve Witkoff told the meeting that "real progress" had been made over the past year. "All of the hostages are home. There is a ceasefire, imperfect as it may be, but it still exists. Humanitarian efforts have achieved historic results, with billions of dollars donated and pledged to meet urgent needs and support the long work of recovery," he said.

The board did not set a date for the start of reconstruction on the ground. Key obstacles remain, including the disarmament of Hamas—which has offered to give up weapons in exchange for a phased Israeli withdrawal from the 60% of Gaza currently occupied—and Israel's insistence on full disarmament before any pullout. Near-daily Israeli strikes and dire living conditions for the 2.1 million people in Gaza continue amid the deadlock.

At a separate press conference, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that "a number of countries have stepped forward and pledged financial assistance" and the board was "looking for more that will participate in that."

The board estimates full recovery and reconstruction will require about $71.4bn over the next decade. The plan also faces challenges around security for personnel operating in Gaza, overhauling internal governance, and finding consensus between Israeli and Palestinian officials.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The plan represents the most detailed outline yet of post-war reconstruction in Gaza, but the massive gap between pledges and delivered funds raises questions about donor commitment and execution capacity.
  • With reconstruction yet to begin nearly a year after the ceasefire, the announcement may serve more as a diplomatic signal of continued US engagement than a concrete roadmap.
  • The outcome will directly affect the 2.1 million Gazans living in dire conditions, as well as regional stability and US credibility in Middle East peace efforts.

Background

After a devastating war between Israel and Hamas, a ceasefire was agreed almost a year ago but has not led to significant reconstruction. The Trump administration, through the Board of Peace, has positioned itself as the lead mediator, but progress has stalled over disagreements on Hamas disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawal. Violence continues with near-daily Israeli strikes, and humanitarian conditions remain severe.

Key Perspectives

US Administration: The Board of Peace presents the plan as a demonstration of commitment, with officials stressing that pledges are in place and "real progress" has been made on hostages and ceasefire maintenance. Critics and Skeptics: The small fraction of funds actually delivered, the lack of a start date for reconstruction, and ongoing violence suggest the plan may be more aspirational than operational. Some world leaders at the UN have criticized Israel's continued attacks and restrictions on humanitarian access. Palestinians and Humanitarian Observers: For the 2.1 million people in Gaza, the gap between promises and action means continued suffering. The plan's success hinges on resolving the disarmament standoff and ensuring security for reconstruction workers.

What to Watch

  • Whether additional donors step forward to close the funding gap at upcoming UN-related meetings.
  • Any movement on Hamas disarmament talks or Israeli troop withdrawal that could unlock reconstruction.
  • The actual disbursement rate of pledged funds over the next six months as a measure of genuine commitment.

Sources

Zotpaper

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