As Israeli elections loom large, Donald Trump's ambitious plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip has hit a significant speed bump. The US administration's Board of Peace (BoP) has dramatically scaled back its vision for the territory's reconstruction, opting instead for a modest pilot project in the south that could take years to materialise.
A small contingent of Moroccan and Kosovar officers has arrived in Israel as part of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), tasked with protecting the future pilot camp near Rafah. The force will be based at a newly constructed logistical hub on the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza, but preparations for the pilot camp itself remain stalled, with satellite imagery showing only disturbed earth.
The shelving of substantial progress in Gaza is largely due to the uncertainty surrounding Israel's elections on 27 October. Western diplomats believe that a new government could offer a glimmer of hope for advancement in the territory, although it remains unclear whether any successor coalition will adopt a significantly more flexible stance. In the interim, there are growing concerns that Benjamin Netanyahu, facing electoral defeat, might authorise another large-scale military operation in Gaza before the vote, which would likely scupper even the scaled-back plans.
Since the Trump-brokered ceasefire in October 2025, Israel has reportedly breached its terms, obstructing reconstruction efforts and severely restricting humanitarian aid. Israeli forces have moved beyond the agreed ceasefire line, occupying over 60% of the territory and establishing a buffer zone beyond that. In this environment, more than 1,100 Palestinians have lost their lives in frequent strikes since the ceasefire.
Ongoing talks in Cairo have focused on Hamas's disarmament, with the group indicating a willingness to do so under specific conditions. However, Egyptian sources suggest progress is unlikely while Israeli airstrikes continue and forces advance further into Hamas-held areas. A Palestinian source told Haaretz that without Israel's commitment to a gradual withdrawal from Gaza and a change in reality on the ground, a basis for talks remains absent.