The Palestinian technocratic body tasked with administering post-war Gaza has described two days of talks in Cyprus as 'highly productive,' as it seeks to advance plans for reconstruction and governance in the devastated territory.
The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) announced on Wednesday that it had held a series of working meetings in Cyprus with experts and advisers from the Board of Peace, the Office of the High Representative for Gaza (led by Nikolai Mladenov), and the Tony Blair Institute. The discussions, the committee said, focused on 'relieving the suffering' of Gazans through projects that 'can be done immediately.'
Participants reviewed detailed plans for reconstruction, security, and governance, while also developing a framework to ensure transparency and accountability for international donors. The committee reiterated its commitment to US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan and said it remained prepared to assume its responsibilities in coordination with the Board of Peace.
No Timeline, No Entry
Despite the upbeat tone, the committee gave no timeframe for its next steps, stating only that further actions would be announced 'once the right conditions are met.' The NCAG has yet to enter Gaza, and progress has been slow since the Board of Peace was established earlier this year as part of a US-backed ceasefire plan endorsed by the UN Security Council.
The initiative aims to facilitate a transition away from Hamas rule while supporting the restoration of civilian administration and basic services across the territory, home to over 2 million Palestinians. However, the board's reconstruction fund, administered by the World Bank and endorsed by the United Nations, has received no money from donors despite billions of dollars in pledges, according to a source familiar with the board who spoke to AFP in May.
Similarly, the International Stabilisation Force for Gaza, announced at the board's inaugural meeting, has not been assembled. None of the five countries that pledged troops have made significant contributions.
European Skepticism
The Board of Peace has drawn criticism for its composition. Trump extended wide invitations, including to Russian President Vladimir Putin and to countries far removed from traditional Middle East diplomacy. Major European nations have largely shunned the board, which is dominated by longstanding US partners in the Middle East, ideological allies of Trump, and smaller countries eager for his attention. The board is unambiguously led not just by the United States but by Trump personally, who holds the final say and could remain in charge past his presidency.
Under the second phase of the US-backed deal, Israel was to gradually withdraw from Gaza and Hamas was to hand over its weapons, but neither has happened. Israel still controls over 60% of the Gaza Strip, including all entry and exit points, while the population is concentrated along the coast.
The war was triggered by Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, prompting a two-year Israeli campaign that ended with a ceasefire last October, though violence has not fully subsided. An EU-UN assessment published in April estimated that more than $71 billion (€60 billion) will be needed over the next decade for reconstruction, with the UN describing the humanitarian situation as 'critical.'
Cyprus, which recently handed the EU Council presidency to Ireland after a six-month term focused on budget and Middle East issues, has positioned itself as a diplomatic hub for Gaza-related talks. The island's proximity to the conflict and its role in hosting such negotiations underscore its strategic importance in the region. Meanwhile, the broader European context includes challenges such as a triple challenge of US tariffs, Iran talks, and a deadly heatwave, which continue to demand attention from EU capitals.
