Huckabee Questions Gaza Peace Board’s Staffing and Funding Viability

Key points

• Ambassador Mike Huckabee sent a cable to State Department leadership on Thursday expressing concern over the Board of Peace’s operational capacity.
• Huckabee stated that neither the Board of Peace nor the US Embassy in Jerusalem has sufficient personnel to move forward with plans to disarm and rebuild Gaza.
• The cable questioned whether the International Gaza Support Center can sustain operations after the Pentagon draws down its personnel over the next year.
• Huckabee noted that the Embassy is not currently staffed to assume civilian roles but could be if it receives clear information on required human, financial, and logistical resources.
• The Board of Peace is working to increase its staff, but its ability to cover all functions at the International Gaza Support Center remains unclear.

Background

This concern follows a series of setbacks for the US-led Board of Peace, which unveiled a $2.45 billion six-month recovery plan in September 2026. That plan, part of a larger $71 billion ten-year reconstruction effort, has faced significant hurdles, including a massive funding gap and political stalemates between Israel and Hamas. In October 2026, Israel halted the construction of a critical military outpost in Gaza, stalling the initial reconstruction phase and preventing the deployment of a 150-strong vanguard force. Although 500 troops from Morocco and Kosovo are already deployed, the delay has jeopardized infrastructure work, with officials expecting approval only after Israel’s October 27 elections. The current situation highlights the ongoing challenges in translating political commitments into operational reality on the ground.

Why it matters

Huckabee’s cable signals a potential shift in US diplomatic strategy, moving from high-level political commitments to a focus on practical implementation challenges. If the Board of Peace cannot secure adequate staffing and resources, the entire $71 billion reconstruction plan may stall, prolonging instability in Gaza and undermining US credibility in the region. This could also strain US-Israel relations, as the US may be seen as unable to deliver on its promises, while Israel continues to face domestic political pressures and security concerns. The outcome will likely influence future US foreign policy decisions and international cooperation efforts in the Middle East.

What to watch

The State Department is expected to respond to Huckabee’s cable, potentially allocating additional resources or clarifying the transition plan from military to civilian control of the International Gaza Support Center. The Board of Peace may accelerate its efforts to recruit and train staff, while seeking further funding commitments from international partners. Israel’s October 27 elections could also play a role, as a new government may be more or less willing to approve the construction of the critical military outpost. In the short term, the focus will be on securing the necessary human, financial, and logistical resources to ensure the Board of Peace can sustain its operations and begin implementing the reconstruction plan.