Trump-led Gaza Board of Peace faces zero funding despite $17 bn pledges

The World Bank‑administered fund for President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" in Gaza contains zero dollars, even though roughly $17 billion in pledges have been announced by donor nations. Disbursement has stalled amid legal disputes, a required $1 billion entry fee that many countries refuse to pay, and reports that some contributions were routed to a private JPMorgan Chase account rather than the transparent World Bank account.

The board has awarded no reconstruction contracts because it cannot operate in Gaza without security, yet security is deemed impossible without reconstruction funding. Hamas's refusal to disarm has created a deadlock: the board cannot proceed without a demilitarized environment, and donors are reluctant to release money without such guarantees. The United States has floated the idea of diverting part of the $5 billion in Palestinian Authority tax revenue held by Israel to finance a transitional authority.

The funding impasse threatens the rebuilding of housing, health, education and other public services for millions of Palestinians, casting doubt on the viability of the board's post‑conflict reconstruction plan.