Trump-Led "Peace Council" Unveils $2.45 Billion Gaza Early Recovery Plan

The "Peace Council," led by former U.S. President Donald Trump, unveiled a $2.45 billion early recovery plan for the Gaza Strip, spanning six months. The plan includes 66 vital projects covering shelter, rubble removal, hospital repair, economic recovery, and security. About $1 billion is allocated for infrastructure and services: $400 million for temporary housing, $275 million for rubble and unexploded ordnance removal, $50 million for hospital rehabilitation, and $30 million for road network repair. It also covers rehabilitating crossings, water, and electricity networks. Roughly $885 million is earmarked for security projects. These include establishing a fortified site in Rafah for 5,000 "International Stability Force" personnel, recruiting and training a multinational security force, supporting a new Palestinian police, and funding a weapons surrender program. A document by Axios estimated Gaza's material damage at $35.2 billion, stating full recovery requires $71.4 billion over a decade. It also proposes, later, a technocratic Palestinian government manage crossings with Israel and Egypt for goods and passenger traffic. Yet, the plan's implementation depends on securing funding and cooperation from Israel and Hamas. Political and field obstacles remain regarding a ceasefire, disarmament, and the Strip's administrative arrangements.