Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, established in January to manage the rebuilding efforts in Gaza, has announced its inaugural construction contract for the war-torn region. This contract involves the development of a basic military outpost designed to accommodate 150 Moroccan troops, as reported by a source familiar with the situation to the Guardian.
The contract, which is still pending finalization, has been awarded to Arkel International, a Louisiana-based company that has previously collaborated with the U.S. government on projects in various countries, including Iraq.
Chaired by the U.S. president, the Board of Peace includes key figures such as Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, and Steve Witkoff, a close associate. An official from the Board of Peace informed that both the board and a group of Palestinian experts, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, are nearing completion on several contract awards, although none have yet been finalized.
According to the official, “one proposed contract involves the construction of facilities to support the international stabilization force (ISF), which is intended to aid in the enforcement of security and governance outlined in the roadmap.” They emphasized that this contract is one of many that are vital for Gaza’s future.
This announcement follows Trump’s recent claim that Hamas has consented to disarm, though significant uncertainties remain regarding how this disarmament would be executed. Israel has expressed opposition to the proposed plan and has increased airstrikes on Gaza in response to Trump’s declaration.
In July, the Guardian reported that the Board of Peace’s original vision for Gaza’s reconstruction has significantly diminished, transitioning from an extensive redevelopment plan to a smaller pilot project located in the southern region of the territory.
The military outpost currently under consideration is approximately 100 meters by 120 meters and is planned to host Moroccan troops who would rotate from an Israeli base, as indicated by the source. This site would be situated in the 60% of Gaza that is under direct Israeli military control, which also includes a designated buffer zone.
The source noted that the base is located about a mile from the Israeli border and will feature a “quick extraction route” for the troops in the event of an attack.
The United Nations resolution that authorized the Board of Peace included provisions for the establishment of an “international stabilization force” for Gaza, with various countries potentially contributing troops. While Morocco has committed to sending a small contingent, the legal framework for the ISF remains incomplete, and the timeline for troop deployment is still uncertain.
Earlier contract proposals reviewed by the Guardian indicated that the 150-person outpost is intended as the first step in a broader plan to construct a larger 5,000-person military base in Gaza for the ISF. This comprehensive base would have included facilities such as “vehicle fighting positions” and a perimeter berm, along with basic amenities suitable for short-term military deployments. The initial phase was described as involving “tents and cots for personnel to sleep, along with chemical toilets and handwashing stations. This is what we would consider habitable at this stage.”
In February 2025, Trump declared that the U.S. would “take over” and “own” Gaza, although the terms of the agreement that established the Board of Peace did not fully reflect this ambition.
During the board’s inaugural meeting in January, Kushner presented a “master plan” for a “New Gaza,” envisioning a modern waterfront city with contemporary mixed-use towers. He remarked, “It could serve as a beacon of hope and a destination, brimming with industry.”
Following the conflict, it is estimated that over 80% of Gaza’s structures were either damaged or destroyed. Nearly ten months after the ceasefire, the majority of the region’s 2 million residents continue to live in makeshift, unsanitary conditions.
