Efforts to rebuild Gaza are gaining international attention as key stakeholders prepare to discuss the reconstruction plan at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. Scheduled for September 23, the Board of Peace will brief representatives from numerous countries on the sidelines of the assembly, focusing on U.S. President Donald Trump’s initiative aimed at Gaza’s reconstruction.
The meeting is expected to bring together Board members, international partners, mediators, and other essential contributors to evaluate the progress made so far and outline priorities for the next steps in the reconstruction process. Participants will include representatives from several UN agencies and the European Union, who are set to explore potential areas of cooperation.
A pivotal topic on the agenda will be the negotiations over the disarmament of Hamas and other armed factions in Gaza. This issue has been a significant sticking point, with Israeli opposition to certain aspects of the disarmament proposal creating hurdles for advancing reconstruction and governance efforts. Despite these challenges, the Board of Peace continues to seek a resolution to facilitate the broader initiative.
Adding to the discussion, a committee of Palestinian technocrats is expected to present details of 71 projects slated for the first six months of operations. However, the initiative remains in limbo as disagreements over disarmament persist, and no definitive start date has been set.
As the international community gathers, the emphasis will be on finding common ground to advance the reconstruction efforts in Gaza, with Israeli cooperation viewed as a critical component for achieving lasting progress in the region.