The Board of Peace is set to unveil a recovery plan for Gaza worth $2.45 billion, according to a new report.
Axios detailed that the plan was crafted by dozens of people and involves Board of Peace members, as well as the Palestinian technocratic government.
It features temporary housing, rubble removal, hospital repairs as well as funds for economic recovery. It also includes the deployment of a multinational security force. The plan is a first step, as it estimates physical damage in Gaza at more than $35 billion and will require twice the amount over the next decade.
However, the plan could still face hurdles. The Israeli government agreed in principle to parts of the plan but rejected starting to implement it, claiming that Hamas needs to start disarming first.
An August report from the same outlet detailed that Hamas officials told Jared Kushner they will take steps to demilitarize Gaza. Kushner asked for concrete steps and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make advancements on the other side. There have been no public announcements on the matter since.
Hamas leaders reaffirmed their commitment to disarm, with a source saying that the meeting was "very productive" in the goal of ensuring concrete steps to that end. They asked him to tell President Donald Trump of their stance. The agreement includes transferring government authority to a technocratic authority and ensuring Hamas is not involved in the future governance of Gaza.
Kushner was joined by Board of Peace high representative Nickolay Mladenov and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, also a member of the board.
"It was important for Kushner to lock them into this commitment in person," the source told the outlet. That is a key step to ensure Israel takes steps of its own.
"Kushner told them there is no room for negotiations on the disarmament, but if they show real steps the U.S. will do its best to make sure Israel takes steps of its own," the source added.
Netanyahu has said that the Israel Defense Forces would not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is 'genuinely disarmed', adding that the country would continue acting against threats to its troops and citizens. Netanyahu also made clear that he believes disarmament must include both heavy and lighter weapons, rather than a limited surrender of military capabilities.
Israel is set to hold elections on October 27. A different government coalition might have a different stance regarding the plan.
