Gaza Reconstruction Has Barely Begun — Only 0.5% of Rubble Cleared as Iran War Diverts U.S. Focus

As of June 3, 2026, Gaza's reconstruction under Trump's Board of Peace plan has effectively stalled. Reporting by The National found that only 0.5% of the estimated 42 million tons of rubble has been cleared since the October 11, 2025 ceasefire — more than seven months into the post-war period. The majority of pledged donor funds, including commitments made at the February 2026 Board of Peace inaugural meeting, have not yet been disbursed. The ongoing US-Israel war against Iran — now in its 97th day — has absorbed Washington's diplomatic bandwidth, deprioritizing Gaza Phase 2 negotiations. UN agencies report 77% of the Gaza population still faces acute food insecurity. Phase 2, which was supposed to transition Gaza toward economic recovery and political stabilization, remains dependent on Hamas agreeing to disarm — a condition Hamas categorically rejects. International reconstruction specialists warn that without immediate Phase 2 activation, the ceasefire framework risks collapse.