DaysofPal— A British media report has revealed growing criticism of the so-called Peace Council overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction plan, citing high salaries paid to officials alongside a lack of progress in rebuilding efforts and delays in pledged funding.
According to a report by The Guardian, countries that had pledged approximately $7 billion to support Gaza have yet to fulfill their commitments, while reconstruction projects on the ground have not begun more than seven months after a ceasefire agreement was reached.
The report highlighted controversy over the salaries of officials and staff linked to the council. Sources indicated that members of a Palestinian technocratic committee based in Egypt receive monthly salaries ranging between $16,000 and $17,000.
It also stated that the international envoy and senior representative of the Peace Council in Gaza receives annual compensation of around $400,000 for overseeing the initiative.
Five individuals familiar with the organization said that many countries, which initially pledged financial support, have become increasingly reluctant to contribute, citing stalled diplomacy and a lack of tangible progress.
A diplomat involved in international negotiations on Gaza, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that “countries are hesitant to pay their shares.
Another source familiar with the initiative said that “no one with influence or financial power wants to work with the Peace Council,” reflecting declining confidence in the project.
The report added that donor countries are increasingly reluctant to transfer funds due to the absence of political or practical progress, as well as doubts about the project’s viability and management.
A separate diplomat echoed similar concerns, noting that countries remain hesitant to contribute, while another source said that some influential parties are using regional developments, including tensions with Iran, as a pretext to delay funding.
The report also cited a source familiar with the council’s affairs who denied that Bahrain had transferred any funds to the initiative.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump had pledged $10 billion in American funding for Gaza reconstruction, but the report noted that none of it has been disbursed so far.
Despite earlier proposals to transform Gaza into a modern economic and tourism hub, the report concluded that no concrete steps have been taken. At the same time, more than two million Palestinians continue to face a severe humanitarian crisis amid a complete standstill in reconstruction efforts.
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