The reconstruction of Gaza is facing significant hurdles as international stakeholders gather to discuss the stalled efforts. The upcoming meeting, scheduled for September 23, aims to address these challenges on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The session, led by the Board of Peace, will focus on reviewing the progress of rebuilding initiatives under the plan introduced by US President Donald Trump.
Key representatives from various countries, as well as members of the European Union and numerous UN agencies, will convene to explore potential collaborations. Central to the discussions will be the contentious issue of disarming Hamas and other armed groups in the region, a prerequisite for advancing reconstruction and governance plans. However, disagreements—particularly Israel’s opposition to parts of the disarmament proposal—have hampered progress.
A committee of Palestinian technocrats is set to detail 71 potential projects that could be initiated in the first six months once a consensus is reached. Although these projects are crucial for Gaza’s recovery, no definitive timeline has been established due to the ongoing disputes over disarmament.
The Board of Peace has been actively working to resolve these issues, emphasizing the importance of Israeli cooperation. Without Israel’s agreement, the reconstruction efforts remain in limbo, highlighting the complexities of achieving peace and stability in the region.