The Board of Peace, established by former President Donald Trump, has pushed back against news reports claiming that its primary fund for reconstruction efforts in Gaza is empty. The Financial Times reported that the fund, set up last year by the World Bank and endorsed by the United Nations, had not received any financial contributions from donors.
Board of Peace Responds
In response, the Board of Peace stated that the fund is "just one of many funding mechanisms that to date has not been utilized by the donor community." The board took to social media to criticize the Financial Times article, saying it "tries desperately to sow doubt about the commitment of the US and partners to the Board of Peace."
Alternative Donor Channels
The article quotes a Board of Peace official who explained that donors have so far chosen to use other methods to contribute. The board has received donations directly through its JPMorgan account, as confirmed by a spokesperson to the newspaper. A Board of Peace source told AFP that no money had been deposited in the fund because it was designed specifically for the reconstruction and development phase in Gaza, which has not yet begun.
Background of the Board of Peace
Trump launched the Board of Peace in January, months after helping broker a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The board's main purpose is to oversee the redevelopment and governance of Gaza, which suffered extensive damage during Israel's two-year military campaign in the territory.
Phases of the Peace Plan
The peace plan for Gaza includes several phases. The first phase saw the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel. The second phase is intended to include the start of Hamas handing over its weapons, along with an Israeli withdrawal and the deployment of a stabilization force. However, progress has stalled. Last week, the Board of Peace described Hamas's refusal to disarm as "the principal obstacle."
