Overview
- In a report dated May 15, the board told the UN Security Council that the gap between $17 billion pledged and funds paid out must be closed with urgency, and the report is slated for Council discussion this week.
- The board says Hamas’ refusal to accept verified decommissioning is the main barrier to implementing the ceasefire plan and to starting large-scale reconstruction.
- The report urges the Council to state that disarmament is required for rebuilding, a timebound Israeli withdrawal, and a credible path to Palestinian self-determination.
- Hamas rejected the findings as “fallacies” and said Israel has not met ceasefire duties, citing tight crossing controls and continued airstrikes that have left civilians in tents with scant services.
- The board estimates rebuilding needs exceed $70 billion, with about 85% of structures destroyed and roughly 70 million tonnes of rubble to clear, while many governments prefer to route money through UN institutions rather than the U.S.-led board.