The Board of Peace, established by US President Donald Trump, moves to put numbers on the rubble on Wednesday. The body will unveil a six-month recovery roadmap worth $2.45 billion, a document that spells out 66 specific projects aimed at resurrecting Gaza’s shattered infrastructure and establishing post-war governance. This isn't a vague pledge. It’s a line-item budget prepared over the past year by Board officials and the Palestinian technocratic government, targeting everything from hospital repairs to the deployment of a multinational security force.
But money doesn't build bridges without consent. The plan sits in a political limbo, dependent on two parties that have agreed to principles but not practice. Israel has nodded at certain elements but refuses to start implementation. Hamas has accepted the logic of disarmament, yet the mechanics remain untested. The Board hopes to break this deadlock after Israel’s October 27 election, though the risk of political deadlock in Jerusalem looms large. "The plan shows how to stand up a government from nothing, an economy from shambles and a territory from disaster," one Board official stated, framing the effort as a total systemic reset.
The scale of the damage dwarfs the initial budget. The proposal estimates physical destruction in Gaza at $35.2 billion, with full reconstruction requiring $71.4 billion over the next decade. The $2.45 billion six-month tranche focuses on the immediate bleeding points. Infrastructure eats the largest share, roughly $1 billion. That includes $400 million for temporary shelters, $275 million to clear rubble and unexploded ordnance, and $50 million to fix hospitals. Security takes another $885 million, earmarked for a permanent base in Rafah capable of housing 5,000 International Stabilization Force personnel and a $20 million weapons buy-back program to incentivize Hamas to surrender arms.
Beyond concrete and steel, the plan tries to digitize and de-tribalize the territory. It allocates $400 million for insulated caravans for families currently living in tents and features a UAE-funded pilot "Emirati Neighborhood" in Rafah designed to house 50,000 people. The blueprint also mandates a digital ID system, 4G connectivity, and a new Gaza investment fund. The Board and the Palestinian technocratic government insist this process must be "Palestinian-led," emphasizing ownership rather than foreign administration. However, the full $2.45 billion has not yet been secured, though officials argue the entire sum isn't needed on day one.
Wednesday’s briefing will be a diplomatic test. Representatives from 35 countries, including the European Union, are expected to attend. Jared Kushner and White House envoy Steve Witkoff will speak, attempting to signal US commitment. The next 72 hours will show whether the world is ready to fund the first step of a $71 billion gamble on peace.