Donald Trump’s Board of Peace has scaled back its Gaza recovery plan from a sweeping reconstruction effort to a modest pilot scheme, with progress stalled by political tensions, funding delays, and operational hurdles, according to multiple reports.
The Trump-backed Board of Peace, which aimed to rebuild Gaza after years of conflict, has shifted from its original vision of a comprehensive recovery plan to a small-scale pilot project focused on a temporary camp in southern Gaza. This pivot, revealed by The Guardian and The Daily Beast, reflects deepening challenges in securing international support and navigating the region’s volatile political landscape.
A Shrinking Vision: From Metropolis to Refugee Camp
The plan’s collapse underscores a broader failure to secure funding. This stark contrast between ambition and reality has drawn criticism from diplomats and analysts.
Stuck in Limbo: Political and Humanitarian Stalemates
Gaza’s residents remain caught between Hamas and Israeli forces, with no clear transition of power. Despite Hamas’s announcement to dissolve its civilian administration in October 2025, DW reported, institutions like the Health Ministry and local government offices continue operating as before. The only entity providing services to residents is the same body that was in place before the war,
said Eyad Saleh, a Gazan who lost his university diploma during the conflict, DW quoted.
The Board of Peace’s National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), composed of Palestinian technocrats, remains stranded in Cairo, awaiting Israeli approval to enter Gaza. There is no change, nobody is stepping in to take over,
said Ghassan Khatib, a lecturer in international politics at Bir Zeit University, DW reported. This stalemate has left the Palestinian Authority and international actors sidelined, as both Israel and the United States block their involvement.
Israel’s continued military operations further complicate the situation. Meanwhile, Hamas refuses to disarm unless Israel halts its attacks, creating a cycle of tension. Hamas knows that Israel wants the weapons to be surrendered, but Hamas will not raise the white flag and will not give up completely,
said Ibrahim al-Madhoun, a Gazan political analyst close to Hamas, DW quoted.
A Fragile Path Forward: What’s Next?
The stalled pilot plan has drawn scrutiny from the Palestinian Authority, which warns that temporary arrangements risk normalizing an unacceptable reality.
Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian stated, Temporary arrangements must never become a substitute for a comprehensive solution or serve to normalize an unacceptable reality,
The Independent reported. However, progress hinges on Israeli elections and the willingness of donor nations to fund the initiative.
As Gaza’s displaced population of 2 million awaits resolution, the Board of Peace’s modest pilot scheme remains uncertain. With Israel’s October elections looming and international donors hesitant to commit, the future of Gaza’s recovery hangs in the balance. The aim is just to keep something going, keep the ball in play, because if you stop there are others with a more extreme agenda just waiting to jump in and take over,
a Western diplomat said, The Guardian quoted.
