Six months after its launch, the Board of Peace in Gaza has failed to deliver any meaningful results. Initially created to manage reconstruction efforts and supervise the gradual Israeli withdrawal, the body has not succeeded in its core missions. Its inability to produce tangible progress indicates a struggle to exert real influence in the region.
The board was established to set up a temporary administrative structure in Gaza and oversee the deployment of an international peacekeeping force. However, these objectives remain unmet. While Trump’s plan promised to transform Gaza into a developed area with modern infrastructure, the living conditions for most residents remain dire. Many people are still in tents, and their essential needs for shelter and safety remain unmet.
Limited Progress and Control Issues
In a limited attempt at progress, the board initiated a small reconstruction project near Rafah, close to the Egyptian border. However, the project is controlled by Palestinians who collaborate with Israel, and Israeli authorities retain the final say on who is allowed to participate. This dynamic weakens the project’s neutrality. Moreover, the board has reportedly proposed using Palestinian-owned land without charge, a move that could signal support for Israeli expansion and land seizures.
One of the board’s main responsibilities was to manage a gradual Israeli withdrawal from parts of Gaza. Instead, Israel has continued launching attacks and expanding its control. Since the ceasefire began, over 1,100 civilians have been killed. The board has remained silent on these incidents, even though Hamas has not initiated any attacks during the ceasefire period. This lack of condemnation raises questions about the board’s impartiality and true intentions.
Hamas has made it clear that it will only give up its weapons if Israel fulfills its obligations under the ceasefire agreement. Yet, the board has taken no action to hold Israel accountable or push it to honor its commitments. This one-sided approach implies that the board is more focused on allowing Israel to maintain its presence in the region than on achieving a lasting peace. As a result, the board is increasingly seen as a cover for Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza.
Financial Struggles and Legal Concerns
Financing the board has also been a challenge. Although the U.S. pledged $10 billion and other countries offered an additional $7 billion, the designated World Bank account for the board remains empty. Instead, most of the financial support has gone into a private account at JP Morgan, with a large portion of the funds spent on administrative expenses rather than on reconstruction or protecting civilians.
Further compounding the board’s failures, it is reportedly seeking legal immunity for itself and its personnel, including the High Representative, international military forces, and contractors. This pursuit of immunity suggests a shift away from promoting peace and toward protecting the board from legal consequences.
The board’s financial struggles, weak authority, and failure to hold Israel accountable have left it as a powerless and ineffective organization. Public confidence in it is fading, and with no visible achievements, critics argue that the board should be abandoned. They believe the situation in Gaza needs to be returned to the United Nations, which has the necessary international legal framework and support to address the crisis that the board has been unable to resolve.
Failure and Need for New Approach
The failure of the Board of Peace highlights the urgent need for a new approach to the conflict in Gaza. With the UN’s experience and international support, there is hope that the situation can be managed more effectively and in line with international law.