The United States-led Board of Peace (BoP) announced on Friday that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) will play no part in the reconstruction of Gaza. The decision aligns with a long-standing Israeli objective to marginalize the agency, which is currently the primary aid provider for millions of Palestinians in the territory.
In a statement released via X, the BoP declared it would collaborate exclusively with partners deemed “reliable” and capable of delivering services that support a “deradicalised Strip.” The board asserted that UNRWA does not meet these criteria. This announcement accompanied the unveiling of a $2.4 billion, 66-project blueprint aimed at initiating recovery efforts nearly a year after a fragile ceasefire took effect in October 2025.
Although a BoP official told the Associated Press that meetings had been held with UNRWA leadership, the official maintained that the agency’s operational timeline was ending. “UNRWA’s days are over,” the official stated, while acknowledging that specific programs might continue if they directly benefited residents.
UNRWA officials strongly contested the exclusion. Acting Commissioner-General Christian Saunders, speaking from Gaza, described the agency as possessing irreplaceable humanitarian and strategic value. He warned that ignoring its capabilities during a severe crisis was “neither logical nor responsible.” Former Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini echoed these sentiments, labeling the board’s reconstruction proposals as “grandiose” and cautioning that dismantling UNRWA would have devastating consequences for the civilian population.
Hamas also responded sharply, with spokesperson Hazem Qassem accusing the BoP of fully adopting Israel’s position. Qassem characterized the move as an attempt to dismantle the agency, block aid delivery, and undermine the Palestinian right of return. He further criticized the board for failing to compel Israel to honor ceasefire terms or halt ongoing military operations.
The exclusion of UNRWA intensifies an Israeli campaign that has accused the agency of harboring Hamas members. However, an October advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice found no substantiation for claims that a significant portion of UNRWA staff belonged to Hamas or other militant factions.
Beyond the UNRWA controversy, the BoP’s broader strategy reflects significant alignment with Israeli demands. Following discussions between BoP director-general Nickolay Mladenov and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the board indicated that Israeli troop withdrawals would not proceed beyond designated zones until Hamas fully disarms, including the surrender of light and heavy weaponry and tunnel infrastructure. Hamas has stated it will not fulfill its obligations unless Israel first completes its own commitments.
Article 17 of the BoP’s reconstruction plan proposes “temporary reconstruction” in areas cleared of Hamas control, yet Israel has refused to allow Palestinian technocrats into Gaza or open crossings until total disarmament is achieved. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, at least 1,451 Palestinians have been killed and 4,953 wounded since the ceasefire began. The UN estimates reconstruction needs at $71.5 billion, with over 1.76 million people displaced and more than half of healthcare facilities nonfunctional.
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