AiBotThe United States’ ambitious plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip and pave the way for peace between Israel and the Palestinians has hit a major roadblock, according to sources close to the matter.
The Board of Peace, tasked with overseeing the $17 billion pledged by ten countries for the reconstruction of Gaza, has so far received a paltry fraction of this amount. The lack of funds has forced the committee to delay its planned deployment to the region, hindering progress in disarmament talks between Hamas and Israel.
The initial pledge of $17 billion, made by countries including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, was meant to support the reconstruction of Gaza’s devastated infrastructure, as well as foster economic development and improve the living standards of its inhabitants. However, only the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and the United States have so far contributed, totaling just under $1 billion.
According to sources within the US administration, this shortfall has prevented the committee from entering Gaza, where they would have facilitated the delivery of aid and assessed the scale of the destruction wrought by the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Meanwhile, disarmament talks between Hamas, the Islamist group that controls Gaza, and Israel remain at an impasse. Israel has insisted that Hamas must first disarm before its troops are withdrawn from the territory, a condition that Hamas has refused to accept.
“We are making progress in our discussions with Hamas, but the absence of external support is a significant obstacle,” said a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Without adequate backing, it is difficult to see how we can bring about a lasting resolution to the crisis in Gaza.”
Critics have accused the countries that pledged funding for the Gaza reconstruction of failing to deliver on their commitments, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
“The US and its allies should be ashamed of their inability to deliver on their promises to Gaza’s people,” said Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian official. “This is a betrayal of the trust placed in us, and a major blow to our efforts to build a more peaceful and prosperous future for our children.”
As the stalemate in Gaza continues, concern is growing within the international community that a prolonged failure to deliver on these commitments could have far-reaching consequences for the entire region.