Trump's Board of Peace Eyes Pilot Humanitarian Zone In South Gaza: Report

Last Updated:July 08, 2026, 22:23 IST

The proposed humanitarian zone in Rafah would house vetted Palestinian civilians under multinational security as part of Trump's post-war Gaza plan.

The US Board of Peace is planning to establish a pilot humanitarian zone in Rafah, located in southern Gaza, capable of accommodating tens of thousands of vetted Palestinian civilians. The initiative is being designed as a foundational starting point for the territory’s post-war civilian governance plan.

The zone is intended to serve as the initial operational base for the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG)—a Palestinian technocratic body slated to oversee day-to-day civilian administration during Gaza’s post-war transitional phase.

Security Architecture & Screening Protocols

Under the framework, multinational troops from the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) will secure the designated perimeter. The ISF is intended to act as a physical buffer between Palestinian civilians and Israeli forces.

Key operational details of the proposed zone include:

Access Control: The NCAG will be responsible for managing access control and overseeing screening mechanisms.

Freedom of Movement: Movement in and out of the zone will remain open to all unarmed civilians.

Militant Screening: A specialized screening mechanism will be deployed to actively prevent armed individuals and militants from entering the perimeter.

Israeli Role: Board officials confirmed that the Israeli military will not be responsible for managing the humanitarian zone or screening civilians. The Israeli military has stated that the proposal is currently under review.

Current Status On The Ground

No construction has begun on the project, and officials stated that the exact location within Rafah has not yet been finalised. Rafah was largely destroyed during the war and remains under Israeli military control following months of intense fighting and airstrikes.

The proposal comes amid prolonged stagnation in implementing the broader U.S.-backed ceasefire plan. Although a ceasefire took effect last October, Israeli forces still control more than 60% of the Gaza Strip. Consequently, the NCAG remains based in Cairo and has yet to enter the territory.

Despite the delays, officials noted that four nations—Morocco, Kosovo, Albania, and Kazakhstan—are actively engaged with the International Stabilisation Force. Additionally, a support site located near the Kerem Shalom crossing on the Israeli side of the Gaza border is nearing completion.

Post-War Transition

The Board of Peace was established earlier this year under a US-backed Gaza ceasefire framework endorsed by the UN Security Council. Its mandate is to facilitate the transition away from Hamas rule while systematically restoring civilian administration and essential public services.

Earlier this week, Hamas announced the official dissolution of the body that had governed Gaza for nearly two decades, clearing a legal and administrative pathway for the technocratic committee to assume control.

International Legal Concerns and Criticism

The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from diplomats, international aid organizations, and policy experts. According to a report by AFP, critics argue that restricting civilians to designated humanitarian zones could potentially violate international humanitarian law.

Opponents warn that the framework could amount to forced displacement and severely restrict freedom of movement. Furthermore, critics express concern that the pilot zone might only create a symbolic appearance of political progress while leaving the vast majority of Gaza subject to ongoing military operations.

News world Trump's Board of Peace Eyes Pilot Humanitarian Zone In South Gaza: Report

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