Israel’s decision to halt the construction of a US-led military base in Gaza is causing delays in President Donald Trump’s post-war peace and reconstruction plan for the region. This military outpost, intended to support an international stabilization force, is a crucial part of the broader plan to establish security and facilitate reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
The project, awarded to Louisiana-based Arkel International, aimed to build a facility accommodating 150 international troops. These forces would be tasked with creating stable conditions necessary for reconstruction and humanitarian operations. However, construction has been stalled as contractors and construction vehicles are reportedly being blocked from entering Gaza.
This delay poses significant challenges to the implementation of the Board of Peace initiative, which was set up following the October 2025 ceasefire. The planned base would enable rotating deployments of international troops, with personnel from Morocco and Kosovo reportedly involved in the stabilization effort. The absence of this outpost and an effective international stabilization force could further hinder key reconstruction activities, including the delivery of construction equipment and the restoration of essential utilities.
The Board of Peace hopes the project can resume after Israel’s elections scheduled for October 27, though no official timeline has been confirmed. This uncertainty affects the ambitious reconstruction program proposed by Trump’s Board of Peace, which announced a six-month plan worth $2.45 billion as an initial step towards rebuilding Gaza. The total estimated cost for the full reconstruction is $71 billion over a decade.
Despite these plans, the situation in Gaza remains precarious. Israeli strikes persist, with Gaza health authorities reporting approximately 1,400 deaths since the ceasefire. The ongoing delay in establishing the international military outpost underscores the difficulties in maintaining security, providing aid, and initiating large-scale reconstruction in the territory.