**Trump’s Board of Peace to Unveil $2.45 Billion Gaza Recovery Plan**
US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace is set to announce a comprehensive six-month recovery plan for Gaza, with an estimated budget of $2.45 billion. This announcement is scheduled for a meeting of the Board's members on Wednesday, according to a report by Axios.
The proposed plan encompasses 66 projects aimed at addressing critical needs in the region. Key components of the initiative include funding for temporary housing, the removal of rubble from conflict zones, repairs to hospitals, and efforts to stimulate economic recovery. Additionally, the plan outlines the deployment of a multinational security force to help stabilize the area.
The report cites a copy of the plan which estimates the physical damage in Gaza at approximately $35.2 billion. It further suggests that full recovery and reconstruction will require around $71.4 billion over the next decade. The ambitious scope of the project reflects the extensive damage and urgent needs in the region following prolonged conflict.
Among the specific proposals included in the plan are the repair of border crossings and the restoration of essential electricity and water infrastructure. To enhance energy access, the plan also calls for the deployment of 25,000 portable solar power kits. Furthermore, it suggests permanently filling tunnels beneath key sites that are necessary for priority reconstruction projects.
In late July, the Trump administration informed Congress of its intention to allocate more than $206 million for a proposed peacekeeping force in Gaza. This funding represents the first significant financial commitment towards the stalled US initiative aimed at rebuilding the beleaguered enclave.
The establishment of the Board of Peace was part of Trump's broader strategy to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. However, since the announcement of a tentative agreement in late July, progress has been hindered. Both Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas have not met the necessary conditions to advance the deal, leading to a standstill in the recovery efforts.
Despite these challenges, the Board of Peace and the Palestinian government remain optimistic about securing the full $2.45 billion needed for the recovery plan. They believe that once political obstacles are overcome, donor countries will be willing to contribute to the funding required for the initiative.
As the situation continues to evolve, the unveiling of the recovery plan marks a significant step in efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and pave the way for future reconstruction and stability in the region. The outcome of this initiative will depend heavily on international cooperation and the resolution of ongoing political tensions.