Israel has halted the construction of a U.S.-led military outpost in Gaza, a key part of former President Donald Trump’s post-war peace and reconstruction plan. The facility, intended to host an international stabilization force, is designed to accommodate 150 international troops to help establish security conditions necessary for reconstruction and humanitarian operations in the region.
In August, the first construction contract for the project was awarded to Arkel International, a company based in Louisiana. However, contractors and construction vehicles have reportedly been blocked from entering Gaza, stalling the project and raising concerns about the implementation of the broader Board of Peace initiative following the October 2025 ceasefire.
The military outpost is planned as a temporary, fortified facility to support rotating deployments of international troops. Morocco and Kosovo are among the countries reportedly contributing personnel to the stabilization effort. Without the outpost and an operational international force, reconstruction activities, including the delivery of construction equipment and the restoration of essential utilities, could face significant delays.
The Board of Peace remains hopeful that the project could resume following Israel’s scheduled elections on October 27, but no official confirmation has been provided about when construction might begin. Trump’s initiative proposes an ambitious reconstruction program for Gaza, with a six-month plan worth $2.45 billion announced in September as an initial step towards rebuilding the territory. The total reconstruction cost is estimated at $71 billion over a decade.
Despite these plans, the situation in Gaza remains precarious, as Israeli strikes have continued since the ceasefire, with Gaza health authorities reporting around 1,400 deaths during the period covered by the report. The ongoing delay in establishing the international military outpost underscores the challenges facing efforts to maintain security, deliver assistance, and commence large-scale reconstruction in Gaza.