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Plans for Post-War Gaza Face Challenges on the Ground
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Conflict & Security

Plans for Post-War Gaza Face Challenges on the Ground

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Context piece
  • International stakeholders are preparing for post-war Gaza, but plans remain theoretical without political agreement, security guarantees, and funding.
  • Key challenges include security disagreements between Israel and Hamas, and the need for reconstruction materials and sustained funding.
  • Proposals include an International Stabilization Force and a Palestinian police force, but diplomatic sources describe the process as deadlocked.

Months of planning for the post-war phase in Gaza are underway, involving various stakeholders focused on governance, security, and humanitarian relief. However, these plans remain largely theoretical due to the absence of a political agreement, credible security guarantees, and consistent funding. The devastated territory, home to over two million Palestinians, faces significant challenges in rebuilding.

The entire planning is around worst case scenario

— Official from the Board of PeaceReferring to the planned 'humanitarian zone' in Rafah.

Security is a central issue, with Israel demanding Hamas disarm before any progress, while Hamas refuses to surrender its weapons until Israeli troops withdraw and a Palestinian governing authority is established. Despite this deadlock, an official from the Board of Peace, established by former U.S. President Donald Trump, indicated that Hamas's disarmament is no longer a strict precondition for advancing on-the-ground plans. The focus is on a "worst-case scenario," including a planned "humanitarian zone" in Rafah.

We get nothing in the negotiation, but we move forward anyhow

— Official from the Board of PeaceDescribing the approach to planning despite ongoing negotiations.

Proposals include an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to help maintain order, with Morocco, Kosovo, Albania, and Kazakhstan reportedly engaged. A logistical base near the Kerem Shalom crossing is nearing completion to host an initial rotation of around 500 troops. Preparations are also underway for a Palestinian police force, which has already received about 20,000 applications. However, diplomats and security sources describe the process as stalled, with training yet to begin and Israel reportedly rejecting the initial list of recruits.

four countries -- Morocco, Kosovo, Albania and Kazakhstan -- are 'really engaged' in the initiative

— Official from the Board of PeaceRegarding the International Stabilization Force proposal.

The humanitarian needs in Gaza are immense. The United Nations estimates reconstruction will take years and cost tens of billions of dollars, hampered by critical shortages of construction materials and debris-clearing equipment. Despite donor pledges, much of the expected funding has not yet been disbursed. The Board of Peace official noted that current funding meets immediate needs but acknowledged that more would be required if multiple humanitarian zones need to be established.

We're working with an amount that for now meets our needs

— Board of Peace officialDiscussing the current funding for reconstruction efforts.
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Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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