Gaza-bound technocrats draw up 71 rebuidling projects, which hinge on Israeli approval

The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a technocratic body tasked with replacing Hamas, has finalized 71 projects for rehabilitating the Gaza Strip, requiring roughly $6 billion. The projects hinge on Israeli approval, which has been largely withheld. The NCAG remains stuck in Egypt, and progress is stalled by Prime Minister Netanyahu's government ahead of the Knesset election. The stagnation means well over half of Gaza's population of roughly 2 million are almost certain to spend another winter in tattered tents.

The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a technocratic body overseen by the US-controlled Board of Peace, has finalized 71 projects for rehabilitating the war-decimated Gaza Strip. The projects, detailed in a "6-Month Gaza Recovery Program" obtained by The Times of Israel, require roughly $6 billion in total funding. Almost all of them require significant cooperation from Israel, which has been largely reluctant to allow such efforts. The NCAG has been stuck in Egypt since its establishment in January, as the Board of Peace spent months coaxing Hamas to accept a disarmament plan. Hamas agreed on July 30, but progress has been held up by Prime Minister Netanyahu's government, which rejects the plan. Board of Peace officials believe Netanyahu's opposition is motivated by the upcoming Knesset election. In the interim, the Board of Peace has sought to advance smaller projects to repair water, sewage, and sanitation infrastructure, but those too are largely stuck due to Israeli foot-dragging. The stagnation means well over half of Gaza's population of roughly 2 million are almost certain to spend another winter in tattered tents. The projects are far more modest than the high-end high-rises that were part of the master plan for a "Gaza Riviera" pitched by US special envoy Jared Kushner.