The Board of Peace, an initiative established under former US President Donald Trump, announced plans to create a "pilot" zone in southern Gaza designed to house tens of thousands of Palestinians. This zone would be located in Rafah, an area currently under Israeli military control, and aims to serve as a "humanitarian and governance zone" administered by Palestinian technocrats.
The proposal comes after months of stalled efforts to rebuild Gaza, which has suffered extensive destruction since October following a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ended months of intense fighting. Israel continues to exert control over more than half of Gaza’s territory, including constructing a lengthy earth barrier that separates the southern portion of the enclave, where most of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents live under Hamas governance.
The Board of Peace’s plan reflects a longstanding concept favored by Israeli and US officials involving the concentration of vetted Palestinian civilians into restricted and heavily monitored zones under Israeli military supervision. This approach has been criticized by the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, which argue that it could worsen the humanitarian situation and further entrench divisions.
Efforts to move forward with broader peace negotiations have largely stalled. Hamas has declined to disarm, a condition set by the agreement for reconstruction to begin, and billions of dollars pledged by the international community to support rebuilding have yet to materialize. Additionally, the envisioned multinational International Stabilization Force, which would provide security in Gaza, has not been deployed, and the committee of Palestinian technocrats intended to govern the area has not yet entered Gaza.
Israel has continued air strikes in the region targeting what it describes as Hamas militants, resulting in over 1,000 deaths since the ceasefire took effect. Meanwhile, the Board of Peace stated that it would proceed with establishing these pilot zones regardless of the status of any broader negotiations with Hamas and indicated plans to potentially expand to other areas.
Critics express skepticism about the proposed pilot zone. Two individuals familiar with the matter suggested that it does not represent meaningful progress but is instead a symbolic move by parties seeking to demonstrate action. Amjad Iraqi, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, warned that the initiative could deepen Gaza’s division by enabling Israel and the United States to impose narrow political and security frameworks reflecting their preferences, rather than broader consensus.
Despite these critiques, a Board of Peace official emphasized that the project is intended to be driven by Palestinians and managed by Palestinian technocrats. They noted recent developments, including the arrival of additional personnel from the International Stabilization Force and increased international support.
Rafah governorate, under Israeli control since May 2024, has been heavily damaged, with much of the city destroyed and its population displaced. A local Palestinian militia, armed by Israel, operates in the area. Security within the proposed pilot zone would be provided by the International Stabilization Force, although the force is currently staffed at limited capacity.
The initiative represents a complex and contentious effort to address Gaza’s humanitarian and governance challenges amid ongoing political and military tensions in the region.