Israel Blocks US-Led Gaza Reconstruction Plan, Threatening Stability

A key component of a U.S.-led plan to stabilize and rebuild the Gaza Strip, championed by former President Donald Trump, is facing significant delays due to Israel's refusal to grant access for construction. The plan involves building a military base for an international peacekeeping force, but Israel has blocked contractors from starting the project for two months, according to The Guardian.

The initiative, spearheaded by Trump's post-ceasefire "Peace Council" established in October 2025, contracted U.S. firm Arkel International in early August to build a fortified outpost for 150 international troops. However, an informed source told The Guardian that Israeli authorities have not yet permitted the project to proceed, preventing contractors and equipment from entering Gaza. "Israel is not opening the border," the source stated.

This delay jeopardizes the entire Peace Council plan, as the necessary infrastructure is crucial for the international forces to operate effectively and for reconstruction projects to commence. Without the base, the international contingent cannot ensure the security needed for importing equipment, preparing infrastructure, and constructing temporary housing, making the base a prerequisite for the plan's advancement.

The proposed outpost, covering approximately ten dunams on land previously used by the "Gaza Humanitarian Fund," would serve as a temporary support hub for the international mission, which includes 500 troops from Morocco and Kosovo. The Peace Council reportedly attributes the construction delay to Israel's upcoming elections on October 27, with the source suggesting the Israeli government may only approve the initiative post-election.

Representatives from the Peace Council, the Israel Defense Forces, and the Israeli government declined to comment on the situation. The Gaza plan is a significant element of Trump's foreign policy agenda, aimed at consolidating ceasefires. The current impasse highlights the dependence of the initiative's progress not only on Washington's decisions but also on Israel's cooperation, with potential setbacks for the mission's deployment and Gaza's reconstruction if the base construction remains blocked.