The Board of Peace, established under President Donald Trump, announced a six-month proposal on Wednesday aimed at reconstructing and governing the Gaza Strip with an initial budget of approximately $2.45 billion (€2.15 billion). The plan serves as a preliminary step toward a broader, long-term recovery effort for the devastated enclave.
During a keynote address in New York City, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, a member of the board’s executive body, emphasized the urgency of actionable measures over rhetoric. “Palestinians in Gaza don’t need a slogan; they need a solution,” Blair stated while outlining the initiative.
The proposal centers on a 66-project blueprint designed to address critical infrastructure needs, including temporary housing, rubble clearance, hospital repairs, economic revitalization, and the deployment of a multinational security force. Additional specific measures involve repairing border crossings, restoring electricity and water supplies, distributing 25,000 portable solar power kits, and permanently filling tunnels located beneath priority construction sites, according to an Axios report released prior to the announcement.
While this initial funding represents a significant step, the board acknowledged the massive scale of the task ahead. Estimates suggest that full reconstruction will require roughly $35.2 billion in the medium term and an additional $71.4 billion over the next decade.
The initiatives are intended to support President Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which facilitated the October ceasefire last year. Key components of that framework included Israeli military withdrawals, the disarmament of Hamas, the arrival of an international peacekeeping force, and the establishment of a new apolitical Palestinian administration. However, nearly a year later, these goals remain largely unfulfilled.
Currently, Israel continues to occupy approximately 60% of Gaza and conducts regular military operations it states target Hamas militants. Gaza health authorities report that over 1,300 Palestinians, predominantly civilians, have been killed since the ceasefire began, while the Israeli military confirms four of its soldiers have died. Hamas has retained its weapons, a stance that has stalled Israeli withdrawals, as Israel insists on the group’s complete disarmament before pulling back from occupied areas.
Nikolay Mladenov, the board’s high representative, noted that progress is contingent upon Hamas disarming but also urged Israel to reduce its military activities. Meanwhile, the majority of Gaza’s population continues to reside in tent camps or the ruins of their former homes, with neither an international military presence nor a new governing body having materialized.
It is concerning that nearly a year later, the key components of the peace plan remain unfulfilled. Money alone won’t fix this political stalemate.
Blair says they need solutions, not slogans, but Hamas still has its weapons and Israel holds 60% of Gaza. How does that change with just money?
Wow, I had no idea the total estimated cost reached over $100 billion combined. The scale of destruction is mind-boggling.
$2.45 billion is a drop in the ocean compared to the $35 billion needed. This feels like PR, not a real solution.