Key facts
- Donald Trump's Board of Peace is planning a pilot humanitarian zone in southern Gaza.
- The zone aims to house tens of thousands of vetted Palestinian civilians.
- Multinational troops from the International Stabilization Force (ISF) would secure the area.
- A Palestinian technocratic committee, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), would manage screening and access.
- Some international observers have raised concerns about the plan's compatibility with international humanitarian law.
Donald Trump's Board of Peace is reportedly planning a pilot humanitarian zone in southern Gaza, intended to house tens of thousands of vetted Palestinian civilians. This initiative is envisioned as a potential starting point for a Palestinian technocratic committee to manage Gaza's day-to-day governance during its transitional phase out of war, as outlined in Trump's 20-point plan.
The proposed zone, eyed for Rafah, would be secured by multinational troops from the International Stabilization Force (ISF), a newly formed body operating under the Board of Peace. The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), composed of Palestinian technocrats established by the Board of Peace, would be responsible for screening and access control, with support from the ISF.
However, diplomats and NGO officials working in Gaza have expressed concerns to AFP, speaking anonymously, that such a mechanism appears incompatible with international humanitarian law. An official from the board stated that movement in and out of the zone would remain free for all unarmed civilians, with a screening mechanism in place to prevent armed individuals and militants from entering.