Board of Peace Excludes UNRWA From Gaza Reconstruction
The US-led Board of Peace announced that UNRWA will have no role in the reconstruction of Gaza, citing a need for trusted partners.
The Board of Peace, a United States-led body overseeing Gaza's ceasefire and reconstruction, announced that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) will be excluded from the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. Disclosed during the UN General Assembly, the decision aligns with Israeli demands to sideline the agency. The Board of Peace stated it will only collaborate with partners that contribute to a deradicalised Strip, asserting that UNRWA fails these criteria.
This exclusion comes as part of a $2.4 billion reconstruction blueprint featuring 66 projects. However, the implementation of the plan remains stalled due to ongoing disputes regarding the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the disarmament of Hamas. While a Board of Peace official suggested some UNRWA programs might continue if they serve residents well, they maintained that the agency's days are over.
UNRWA acting Commissioner-General Christian Saunders defended the agency, arguing that its strategic value and expertise are difficult to replicate. Hamas responded by accusing the Board of Peace of complete alignment with the Israeli position.
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