The United States-backed Board of Peace proposed a six-month $2.4bn plan to begin reconstruction in the Gaza Strip on September 23, 2026, even as ongoing Israeli attacks killed at least seven Palestinians across the enclave, according to reports from Al Jazeera and The National. The blueprint, unveiled at a United Nations General Assembly side meeting in New York, aims to restore basic services and lay groundwork for longer-term governance under President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, though international officials acknowledge that stalled troop withdrawals and looming Israeli elections threaten implementation.
Board of Peace Unveils $2.4 Billion Reconstruction Blueprint in New York
The newly unveiled 66-project blueprint targets urgent infrastructure, healthcare, and education needs across the Gaza Strip. According to Board of Peace planning documents cited by Al Jazeera and The National, medium-term physical reconstruction is estimated to cost about $35bn, with an additional $71.4bn required over the next decade.
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff pointed to functioning ceasefires and returned hostages as progress during the September 23 gathering. However, the overarching initiative faces strict operational dependencies. Board High Representative Nickolay Mladenov stated that the recovery framework depends on Hamas’s disarmament, noting that Palestinian factions agreed to a demilitarization roadmap in July. “We want to make sure that this works,” Mladenov told reporters, adding that the body is not bound by a strict calendar.
Did you know? The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza operates as a technocratic civilian body designed to manage day-to-day services sector-by-sector, beginning in Rafah before expanding northward as Israeli forces eventually withdraw.
Ongoing Ceasefire Violations and Casualties Disrupt Recovery Efforts
Recovery operations on the ground remain stalled due to active military engagements. According to Al Jazeera reporting from Gaza, an Israeli drone strike on a vehicle in the al-Mawasi area near Khan Younis killed Osama Abu Khater and Mohammad Abu Elwan on September 23. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the strike targeted a senior Hamas finance official, local medics and field reporters noted the attack struck close to displacement camps housing hundreds of thousands of civilians.
Additional aerial strikes in Deir el-Balah and Gaza City killed at least three more Palestinians on the same day, while gunfire casualties were reported in Khan Younis. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz defended the military actions in a social media statement, asserting that operations will continue until there is no Hamas in Gaza. Meanwhile, international human rights and diplomatic criticisms have mounted at the UN General Assembly, where leaders from the UK, France, Canada, and Turkey condemned ongoing settlement expansion in the West Bank and called for unobstructed humanitarian access.
Phased Implementation Strategy and Diplomatic Roadblocks
Ali Shaath, chief commissioner of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, emphasized that administrative planning covers the entire 365-square-kilometre territory without geographic bias. Speaking to international media in New York, Shaath rejected any forced displacement of residents, stating that the committee’s objective is to secure long-term stability and local autonomy.
Despite these administrative frameworks, high-level negotiations remain complicated. High Representative Mladenov admitted that talks with Israel are politically sensitive and difficult due to upcoming Israeli elections scheduled for the following month. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated American backing for the recovery roadmap during a September 23 press briefing, stressing that the region requires stable Palestinian leadership free of Hamas control to prevent further escalation, particularly amid rising civilian violence in the West Bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of the Board of Peace’s Gaza reconstruction plan?
The six-month, $2.4bn initiative focuses on restoring basic municipal services, repairing critical hospital and educational infrastructure, and establishing local governance frameworks under the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
Why has Gaza reconstruction been delayed?
According to international monitors and Board of Peace officials, progress has stalled because Israeli troops have not completed their required withdrawals, Hamas has yet to fully implement its disarmament commitments, and political sensitivities surrounding Israeli elections have complicated diplomatic talks.
Who administers civil services in Gaza under the current transition plan?
Civil administration is managed by the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, a technocratic body designed to oversee public services and sector-by-sector reconstruction across the enclave.
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