The Trump administration has not moved forward with its reconstruction plan for Gaza because its Board of Peace has only received a fraction of the $17 billion pledged to the initiative, according to a new report. So far, the funding is under $1 billion.
Reuters noted that only the U.S., Morocco and the UAE have sent funds so far even though ten countries had pledged funds.
A source cited by the outlet claimed that the war in Iran has "affected everything," exacerbating already existing funding issues. Without the funding, a Palestinian technocratic committee that would be tasked with replacing Hamas in the enclave can't enter the strip. They would also face security risks.
Board of Peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov told Palestinian groups that "no money is currently available" for the effort.
Elsewhere in the report, the outlet claimed that Hamas has repeatedly said it is ready to hand over governance to the technocratic committee, which is led by the former deputy minister with the Palestinian Authority, Ali Shaath. The body would take control of Gaza's ministries and its police force.
Al Jazeera reported in late March that the plan also contemplates Hamas' disarmament over an eight-month period in exchange for Israel allowing reconstruction materials into Gaza, as well as increased humanitarian aid.
