Board of Peace excludes UNRWA from Gaza reconstruction partners
The US-led board says UNRWA does not meet its standards for trusted partners, while leaving open whether some agency programmes could continue.
The US-led Board of Peace has reiterated that UNRWA will not be among its partners for a proposed Gaza reconstruction plan, saying the agency fails its standards for trusted partners. The board’s position leaves the future role of an organisation central to Gaza’s health, education, water and sanitation services uncertain.
The board’s 66-project blueprint lists $2.4 billion in proposed projects. UNRWA was omitted from the agencies named as partners. An unnamed board official told the Associated Press that some programmes could continue if they serve Gaza’s residents, despite the board’s stated exclusion.
UNRWA acting Commissioner-General Christian Saunders said the agency has humanitarian capabilities and expertise that are difficult to replicate. UNRWA has about 11,000 Palestinian employees in Gaza.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem condemned the decision, accusing the board of aligning with Israel’s position on UNRWA. Israel has long sought to dismantle the agency, according to the source reporting.
The proposed reconstruction plan remains conditional on Hamas’s disarmament, while key ceasefire steps, including Israeli troop withdrawal, remain stalled. The source reports continuing displacement, damage and restrictions on aid entering Gaza; it does not establish when the proposed projects might begin.
