Israel is refusing to allow a military outpost project for Donald Trump’s Board of Peace to proceed in Gaza. The international organization was authorized in 2025 by the UN and is chaired by the US president.
In early August, the Board of Peace issued its first construction contract for Gaza. Louisiana-based Arkel International was hired to construct a military outpost for 150 international troops that would serve as the vanguard of an international stabilization force.
Two months later, Israel has still not permitted the contract to move forward. Contractors and trucks are not being allowed to cross into Gaza and begin the work. A person with direct knowledge of the matter stated that Israel will not open the border.
The Board of Peace was formed after an October 2025 ceasefire in Gaza. The conflict is one of the eight wars Trump claims to have resolved, a point he reiterated on social media while protesting that he had not won the Nobel peace prize.
The planned mission support site is a rudimentary fortified position measuring about 100 meters by 100 meters. According to the source familiar with the matter, the location was once part of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation project. The US-backed GHF operated in Gaza from May 2025 until October 2025 to deliver aid protected by private contractors.
The base would host short rotating deployments of a well-armed force of 150 troops. These personnel would come from a larger component of 500 troops already sent from Morocco and Kosovo.
Without this contract, the rest of the Board of Peace program cannot launch. The source explained that Israel’s refusal to allow Arkel to build the base cuts the initiative off at the legs.
The source stated that without the international stabilization force, nobody can enter or rebuild. There is no security, no delivery of construction equipment, and basic utilities and life-support facilities cannot be installed.
Despite the current block, the person familiar with the matter said the Board of Peace believes the Israeli government will let the project proceed after the Israeli elections scheduled for 27 October.
The Board of Peace features a unique structure with Trump designated as chair for life. Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, serves as an executive board member alongside real estate developer Steve Witkoff.
Although many western democracies have kept their distance, 28 countries joined as founding members earlier this year. Kushner has previously unveiled renderings of a futuristic vision of Gaza as a luxury waterfront resort city with high-tech skyscrapers.
On 23 September, the group announced a six-month, 2.45 billion dollar plan as the first step towards reconstruction, with a 10-year estimated cost of 71 billion dollars. Witkoff announced the plan, stating they could point to real progress.
Aryeh Lightstone, a US senior adviser to the board, announced the creation of a new fund during the rollout. He stated that high net-worth donations would go directly to the Palestinian people.
Meanwhile, Gaza health authorities report that Israel has continued strikes in Gaza since the October ceasefire, killing about 1,400 people over that time.
