World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
Israel blocks Gaza base planned for Trump’s Board of Peace
Israel is blocking construction of a planned military outpost in Gaza by refusing to let US contractor Arkel International and its trucks enter.
The base was commissioned by Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, formed after the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire.
It was meant to house rotating deployments of 150 troops from Morocco and Kosovo, part of a larger 500-person contingent.
The outpost was planned as a fortified site about 100 metres by 100 metres.
Without the base, the Board’s stabilization force and wider programme cannot launch, according to a person familiar with the project.
The plan is part of the Board’s proposed role in Gaza, including reconstruction, but Israel’s refusal shows it can prevent the work from starting.
A person familiar with the matter said the Board believes Israel may allow the project to proceed after elections scheduled for 27 October.
Israel has not allowed a contractor to enter Gaza and build a military outpost planned by Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.
The base was intended to house rotating deployments of 150 international troops from Morocco and Kosovo.
The contractor, Louisiana-based Arkel International, received the Board of Peace’s first Gaza construction contract in early August.
A person familiar with the project said the delay prevents construction and could stop the wider Board of Peace program from launching.
The sources do not report an explanation from Israel for blocking the project.
- Who
- Israel is blocking Arkel International, a US contractor, from building an outpost for Trump’s Board of Peace.
- What
- The planned base would house 150 international troops from Morocco and Kosovo.
- When
- The Board of Peace issued the contract in early August 2026. Israel was still blocking the project when the reports were published on 14 and 15 October.
- Where
- Gaza.
- Why
- The base is intended to support an international stabilization force. Israel’s reason for blocking construction is not stated.
Israel
Board of Peace
Project access
Israel
Israel has not permitted the contractor, trucks or construction equipment to enter Gaza.
Board of Peace
The Board of Peace plans to build the outpost as support for an international stabilization force.
A ceasefire in Gaza took effect, and the Board of Peace was formed in its wake.
The Board of Peace awarded Arkel International its first Gaza construction contract.
The Board of Peace unveiled a six-month, $2.45bn plan as a first step towards reconstruction.
The Guardian reported that Israel had still not allowed the contract to proceed.
- Contractor
- Arkel International, based in Louisiana
- Planned base
- About 100 metres by 100 metres
- Initial deployment
- 150 troops
- Larger contingent
- 500 personnel from Morocco and Kosovo
- Board plan
- Six months and $2.45bn, announced on 23 September
- Estimated reconstruction cost
- $71bn over 10 years
3 sources
What people are saying
Israel won’t open the border
You can’t get in without [an international stabilization force (ISF)]. You can’t rebuild.
There’s no security. There’s no deliveries of construction equipment. You can’t even start putting utilities.