Gaza administrator says one-year budget secured, seeks reconstruction fund

Gaza administrator says one-year budget secured, seeks reconstruction fund

The newly appointed head of Gaza's administrative committee has confirmed initial financial backing for the entity's operations while calling for a much larger, dedicated mechanism to fund reconstruction. Ali Shaath's statements outline the nascent body's immediate humanitarian priorities and its long-term institutional goals.

Secured funding and a push for a World Bank fund

According to reports from Qahera News TV, Shaath stated that a one-year budget has been secured from international donors, enabling the committee to begin its work. He identified the creation of a dedicated "reconstruction and relief fund at the World Bank" as a critical next step for Gaza's recovery, signaling that the current funding is for administrative operations, not large-scale rebuilding.

Humanitarian focus and the goal of restoring hope

Shaath framed the committee's mission in human terms, stating its immediate objective is to bring "smiles on the faces of Gaza’s children, women, and men." He said the broader goal is "to give the Palestinian people hope that there is a future," acknowledging the profound psychological and physical toll of the recent war. This suggests an initial focus on restoring basic services, aid distribution, and public morale.

Context within the US-backed peace plan

The committee, led by Shaath, was recently endorsed by regional mediators Türkiye, Egypt, and Qatar as part of the second phase of the US-proposed ceasefire plan. Its establishment is central to the transition from ceasefire to governance and reconstruction. For active participants like Türkiye, which advocates for substantial and sustainable reconstruction, Shaath's appeal for a formal World Bank fund aligns with the need for a transparent, internationally managed mechanism to oversee the monumental task of rebuilding Gaza.