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Israeli Team in Peace Council Reveals Vision for Gaza Reconstruction

A female member of the al-Ghafir family, sits of the debris of the al-Hasayna Mosque as she recites from a copy of the Quran, during the holy month of Ramadan in western Gaza City on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
A female member of the al-Ghafir family, sits of the debris of the al-Hasayna Mosque as she recites from a copy of the Quran, during the holy month of Ramadan in western Gaza City on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
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Israeli Team in Peace Council Reveals Vision for Gaza Reconstruction

A female member of the al-Ghafir family, sits of the debris of the al-Hasayna Mosque as she recites from a copy of the Quran, during the holy month of Ramadan in western Gaza City on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
A female member of the al-Ghafir family, sits of the debris of the al-Hasayna Mosque as she recites from a copy of the Quran, during the holy month of Ramadan in western Gaza City on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)

While many observers remain skeptical about the chances of success for President Donald Trump’s comprehensive Middle East peace plan, figures close to the US administration are projecting confidence. Among them are three Israelis selected for key roles in the project, though they do not formally represent the Israeli government.

According to a report in Yedioth Ahronoth, the officials insist the initiative is already underway, with Egypt, Türkiye and Qatar playing influential roles in persuading Hamas to cooperate. Despite skepticism within parts of Israel’s political and military leadership regarding the feasibility of the plan — and the ability of Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to implement it — the Peace Council members argue that progress so far is “encouraging.”

The Israeli members of the council are Israeli-Cypriot businessman Yakir Gabay, high-tech entrepreneur Liran Tancman, and Michael Eisenberg, who serves as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s representative at the US coordination headquarters in Kiryat Gat.

They contend that Hamas’ agreement to disarm, coupled with reforms to Palestinian school curricula to promote “a culture of peace and tolerance,” would transform Trump’s initiative into “a historic opportunity to turn Gaza into a true Riviera.”

Gabay outlined the first phase: removing 70 million tons of rubble and unexploded ordnance, recycling usable materials, demolishing and sealing hundreds of kilometers of tunnels, and establishing rapid temporary housing in reinforced tents. Parallel efforts would focus on building infrastructure and permanent residential towers.

Plans also include modern hospitals, schools, factories, agricultural zones, road and rail networks, energy and water facilities, data centers, a seaport and an airport. Contractors experienced in constructing millions of housing units across the Middle East would be recruited, with funding reportedly secured. Hundreds of thousands of jobs are expected to be created. In addition to housing and workplaces, 200 hotels are planned.

Tancman, who advises Israel’s national cyber directorate, pledged to introduce advanced technological solutions in cooperation with American, Arab and Palestinian partners. This includes upgrading Gaza’s internet network from 2G to 5G and making access free of charge. Mechanisms for exporting Gaza-made goods are also under development.

A “New Era”?

Officials told Yedioth Ahronoth that reconstruction has effectively begun in Rafah and is expected to take three years. Israel is currently clearing debris, with 100,000 homes slated for construction in the first phase to house 500,000 residents. Infrastructure alone is projected to cost $5 billion. Ultimately, 400,000 homes are planned, with total infrastructure costs estimated at $30 billion, alongside a similar sum for construction.

A senior Peace Council member suggested that if Hamas responds positively, Israel could consider measures such as amnesty for its leaders or even purchasing weapons for cash. “Gaza and its people could enter a new era—connected and open to the world,” he said.

Separately, The Times of Israel cited a US official confirming that funds would not flow before Hamas agrees to disarm, adding that Israel must also act constructively.

An Arab diplomat cautioned that sustained pressure on both sides would be essential to ensure the plan’s success and the establishment of a technocratic administration in Gaza.

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Arab World

Lebanon PM Tells Iran President Country Cannot Be Arena for Regional Wars

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. (NNA)
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. (NNA)
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Lebanon PM Tells Iran President Country Cannot Be Arena for Regional Wars

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. (NNA)
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. (NNA)

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday that his country did not want to be an arena for regional wars, after Tehran-backed Hezbollah drew it into the Middle East conflict.

Lebanon has repeatedly accused Iran of interfering in its affairs, especially since the start of the latest war, saying that Tehran was using it as a "bargaining chip" in talks with the United States.

Salam's office said in a statement that he met with Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Salam "stressed that Lebanon has paid a heavy price in terms of its security, stability and economy, and that it does not want to become an arena for regional conflicts or a venue for the exchange of messages between others", it said.

Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into the broader Middle East war, which began with Israeli-US strikes on Iran, by attacking Israel in support of Tehran on March 2.

Israel responded with major airstrikes and a ground invasion that killed more than 4,300 people.

The war followed a 2023-2024 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which started when the group attacked Israel in support of its ally Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Violence declined following a June framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel and a wider US-Iran deal, but Israel has continued to carry out attacks on its northern neighbor.

Salam said his country looked forward "to turning a new page" in its ties with Iran.

He called for "building a sound state-to-state relationship based on mutual respect for each country's sovereignty and independence, non-interference in each other's affairs and shared interests".

Salam said the priority was for "Israel to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory and cease its attacks, and for Lebanon to move forward with extending the authority of the Lebanese state over all of its territory".

He said Lebanon needed to ensure "that weapons are held exclusively by the state", in a jab at Hezbollah, which has so far refused to lay down its arms.

In an interview with AFP last week, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said bilateral relations "must be based on mutual respect and non-interference".

Arab World

US to Hand Over Center at Baghdad Airport, Says Iraqi FM

A man walks past a billboard displaying the Iraqi flag in Baghdad's central Tahrir Square on September 22, 2026. (AFP)
A man walks past a billboard displaying the Iraqi flag in Baghdad's central Tahrir Square on September 22, 2026. (AFP)
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US to Hand Over Center at Baghdad Airport, Says Iraqi FM

A man walks past a billboard displaying the Iraqi flag in Baghdad's central Tahrir Square on September 22, 2026. (AFP)
A man walks past a billboard displaying the Iraqi flag in Baghdad's central Tahrir Square on September 22, 2026. (AFP)

The United States will transfer to Iraq a diplomatic and logistics hub at Baghdad airport that was repeatedly targeted by Iran-backed groups during the Middle East war, the foreign ministry said Thursday.

It said an agreement was signed with the US charge d'affaires Steven Fagin "to hand over the diplomatic support center affiliated with the US embassy at Baghdad International Airport to the Iraqi government".

The move, it added, was part of efforts to end the US-led coalition's military presence in Iraq, with the remaining troops set to complete their exit by September 30.

For years, Iran-backed armed groups that have long called for the withdrawal of foreign troops have targeted US facilities and coalition forces in Iraq.

During the Middle East war, those groups targeted US sites more than 600 times, including the Baghdad airport facility.

An Iraqi security official and a diplomatic source told AFP earlier this month that US troops have already evacuated the site.

Baghdad and Washington agreed in 2024 to end the coalition's mission against the ISIS group in Iraq.

Coalition forces are now only present at Erbil airport after having withdrawn from other bases.

The coalition's presence, especially after the defeat of ISIS, has been a persistent point of friction between Iraqi authorities and Tehran-backed factions in the country.

Since taking office this year, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has pledged to reinforce the state's monopoly on arms and ensure that armed factions hand over their arms to the state.

Authorities say that ending the coalition's mission removes a key justification used by those groups to keep their weapons.

Arab World

Ground Fighting Eases in Sudan as Drone Warfare Intensifies

Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan inside the presidential palace on March 26, 2025. (Reuters)
Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan inside the presidential palace on March 26, 2025. (Reuters)
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Ground Fighting Eases in Sudan as Drone Warfare Intensifies

Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan inside the presidential palace on March 26, 2025. (Reuters)
Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan inside the presidential palace on March 26, 2025. (Reuters)

Ground fighting has eased on Sudan’s main fronts after army advances and a retreat by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in North Kordofan in recent days. Drone attacks have increased, while limited skirmishes continue on several fronts.

Witnesses and field sources said the lull followed heavy fighting that significantly changed the areas held by each side in North Kordofan.

The army captured several towns, strengthened its hold on Bara and the surrounding area, and secured the export road. It also opened a supply route from Omdurman through White Nile and North Kordofan states to El Obeid.

The RSF withdrew to the north and northwest.

The sources said the army’s advance west of El Obeid stopped abruptly when its forces reached Umm Sumaymah. A counterattack forced them back toward the outskirts of El Obeid. No further major attempt to advance has been reported on that front.

Activists said the army also pulled back from around Sodari and Mazrub after extending its defensive lines through several nearby towns. The RSF returned to the strategic town of Mazrub, which it had left during the army’s wider offensive.

In Blue Nile state, the army held its positions. Pro-army sources said its forces repelled RSF attacks and inflicted casualties and equipment losses, preventing the RSF from making further gains. The RSF and its allies still control Kurmuk and Geissan.

Direct ground fighting there has also eased in recent days, though both sides have continued attacks with drones and artillery.

Drone warfare

The army said on Thursday that its air defenses had shot down a long-range FH-95 drone it described as hostile. The announcement came days after intensive drone attacks on military sites in El Obeid.

North Kordofan residents said the RSF had stepped up drone attacks on government-held cities in the state, disrupting daily life and deepening their sense of insecurity.

Reuters recorded footage of the aftermath of major attacks this month on two cities along the front line. Residents described them as part of a new wave of strikes, following weeks in which the RSF appeared to have reduced its drone use under international pressure.

Drone use has increased sharply during Sudan’s three-and-a-half-year war. Both the army and the RSF use technology that has become central to other conflicts, including the war in Ukraine.

The United Nations says drone attacks by both sides killed more than 1,000 civilians in the first half of this year. The toll highlights the growing cost to civilians as such attacks spread beyond traditional front lines.

On September 8, a drone struck a crowded courtroom in the government-held city of Umm Rawaba. The city is in North Kordofan, a central Sudanese state that has become one of the war’s main fronts.

Emergency Lawyers, which describes itself as an independent volunteer professional group defending rights, said about 10 people were killed and dozens wounded. The courthouse was extensively damaged, with columns from its facade and debris from one of the city’s prominent buildings strewn around the site.

A day later, a drone struck the College of Development and Technological Sciences in El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan. The strike destroyed its roof and extensively damaged its buildings.

Standing amid the wreckage as workers cleared debris, the college’s dean, Abdelaziz al-Sheikh, said a security guard had been killed and eight lecture halls badly damaged.

“We lost the college guard. Eight halls were targeted and completely destroyed,” he said. Other parts of the college had also sustained extensive damage, he added.

Omnia Abulgasim, a student who had taken an exam at the college the day before the attack, stood beside the rubble. “The whole college was destroyed. We feel our dreams and our future have been destroyed,” she said.

At a hospital in Umm Rawaba, Salah Bakhit said his arm had been crushed and his body struck by shrapnel in the courthouse attack. He had fled El Obeid for safety after months of drone attacks on the city earlier this year, as the RSF sought to increase pressure on it.

As ground fighting eases on several fronts, drones are playing a growing role in attacks on military positions, as well as on cities and civilian facilities relatively far from the fighting. Residents and vital infrastructure are bearing an increasing share of the war’s cost.