Europe’s Reluctant Engagement with Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace

Key points

• The European Commission is collaborating with the Board of Peace on two humanitarian projects in Gaza, described as 'pragmatic' rather than supportive, to address urgent recovery needs without fully endorsing the body.
• Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stated that traditional donors will work in parallel but refuse to transfer funds directly to the Board of Peace, citing lack of transparency and misalignment with reporting regulations.
• The Board of Peace, led by Nickolay Mladenov, announced a $2.45 billion plan for 66 projects, including hospital repairs and public transport, but lacks specific timelines and faces criticism for its opaque budget and organizational structure.
• Critics, including the International Crisis Group, describe the board as a 'gateway' to Washington and Israel, noting that key decisions, such as the disarmament of Hamas, remain stalled due to Israeli restrictions on equipment entry.
• UNRWA’s interim head Christian Saunders called the Board of Peace the 'one game in town,' urging global support, while European officials like Romania’s Oana-Silvia Țoiu emphasized the need for large actors but insisted the UN must remain the primary forum for aid and dispute resolution.

Background

The Board of Peace was announced a year ago at the U.N. General Assembly and received U.N. endorsement in November 2025 as a transitional administration for Gaza’s redevelopment. It held its first meeting in February 2026. This development follows broader tensions between Europe and the U.S. over Trump’s foreign policy, including disputes over Greenland and energy security, which have heightened European skepticism toward U.S.-led initiatives. The board’s formation also coincided with the U.S. and Israel’s push to sideline UNRWA, the agency handling Palestinian refugees in Gaza.

Why it matters

The Board of Peace represents a significant shift in the architecture of post-conflict reconstruction in Gaza, potentially bypassing traditional U.N. mechanisms. Its success or failure will determine whether international aid is channeled through a U.S.-aligned body or remains within established multilateral frameworks, with implications for humanitarian access, political legitimacy, and the long-term governance of the enclave.

What to watch

The Board of Peace expects to begin its 66 projects within six months, though no specific start date was provided. Progress is likely to be delayed until after Israel’s October 27 elections, as Mladenov noted ongoing difficulties in discussions with Israel. The board aims to implement a 'deconflicting mechanism' to address security challenges before they escalate, but its ability to enforce disarmament or coordinate with Hamas remains uncertain.