Arabic version: مجلس ترامب للسلام يواجه نقصًا في التمويل لإعادة إعمار غزة
A body set up by United States President Donald Trump to oversee the administration and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip has said that it is short of the funds needed to move forward with those efforts. Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace” has warned of a significant gap between the funds disbursed and the $17 billion pledged to the organisation, according to media reports on May 19, 2026. According to Al Jazeera, the board’s May 15 report to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) emphasized that the promised funds are essential for translating plans into actionable support for the people of Gaza.
The cost of reconstructing Gaza, large swathes of which have been completely levelled during Israel’s genocidal war and subsequent efforts to demolish Palestinian homes and buildings, has been estimated at $70 billion. The board estimated in its report that 85 percent of Gaza’s buildings and infrastructure have been destroyed and that 70 million tonnes of rubble need to be cleared. Despite the dire situation, the board has faced skepticism regarding its ability to effectively manage aid, especially as it is seen as an alternative to traditional international organizations that Israel prefers to exclude from the rebuilding process.
Critics have raised concerns about the board’s efficacy, especially as funding commitments have not materialized as expected. Reports have indicated that the board received only a small portion of the $17 billion in pledged funds, a claim it previously rejected by asserting that there were “no funding constraints.” The May 15 report urged the need for urgent action to close the funding gaps, although it did not specify the exact shortfall.
The Board of Peace was approved by the UN as part of a peace plan between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas, but many countries have declined to participate in the body. Countries such as the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar have pledged funds to the board, along with Morocco, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait. Meanwhile, Israel has continued to restrict humanitarian access to Gaza and to carry out frequent strikes that have killed more than 800 Palestinians there since the so-called ceasefire went into effect in October 2023. Hamas has criticized the board’s reports, labeling them as filled with inaccuracies and misrepresentations.
