Key facts
- The Board of Peace plans to consolidate fragmented governance in Gaza under one authority, one law, and one weapon.
- The Board of Peace has outlined 66 projects totaling $2.45 billion for Gaza.
- Jared Kushner described the Board of Peace's efforts as akin to building a large startup.
- European officials are concerned about the lack of specificity in the Board of Peace's plans.
- Ali Shaath heads the Palestinian technocratic committee of the Board of Peace.
Europe is approaching the Board of Peace's reconstruction plan for Gaza with caution, citing a lack of specificity regarding its implementation. The initiative, which includes Jared Kushner, aims to bring order to the fragmented situation in the enclave.
Ali Shaath, head of the Board of Peace’s Palestinian technocratic committee, stated that the board's principle is "one authority, one law and one weapon." He noted the presence of tens of thousands of employees from Palestinian authorities, UN agencies, and NGOs operating in Gaza, which his panel would consolidate. Mladenov, also involved with the board, acknowledged the challenges of working amid conflict and mentioned efforts to establish a "sophisticated deconflicting mechanism."
The Board of Peace released a list of 66 projects valued at $2.45 billion, intended to address needs such as providing housing, supporting public transportation, and repairing hospitals. The completion timeline for these projects, starting from an unspecified date, is set at six months.
However, Tom Warrick, who previously led postwar Iraq planning for the State Department and is in contact with European officials, expressed concerns shared by potential partners. He highlighted that while the plans appear promising on paper, the crucial missing element is a clear roadmap detailing the transition from the current state to the actual launch of most projects.