Trump’s Board of Peace holds Gaza reconstruction talks with UAE’s DP World

Dubai-based logistics giant DP World has held talks with representatives linked to Donald Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace” over managing supply chains and infrastructure projects in Gaza, according to a report by the Financial Times (FT). The discussions reportedly explored whether the state-owned Emirati company could partner with the group to oversee logistics for humanitarian aid and commercial goods entering the besieged Palestinian enclave. Proposals under consideration included warehousing, cargo tracking systems, security arrangements, the potential construction of a new port in Gaza or on Egypt’s nearby Mediterranean coast, and the establishment of a free-trade zone within the war-ravaged territory. These talks form part of longstanding proposals by US officials to privatise much of Gaza’s services and infrastructure as part of a broader vision for a “new Gaza”. Critics have warned that such initiatives risk sidelining Palestinians, bypassing international institutions like the United Nations, and legitimising the forced displacement of Palestinians from their land. The report comes amid stalled progress toward peace in Gaza, despite a US-brokered “ceasefire” announced last October. Since then, Israeli attacks have killed more than 700 people and injured approximately 2,000, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. A draft proposal reviewed by the FT outlined a vision for a “secure and traceable supply chain system” and a “port-led economic ecosystem”, complemented by light industry and job-creation platforms. A spokesperson for DP World told the newspaper they were not aware of any discussions, and the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to FT’s request for comment. DP World, owned by the Dubai government, is one of the world’s largest port operators, handling about 10 percent of global trade daily across more than 80 countries. The company’s senior leadership was reshuffled in February after longtime chair Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem stepped down following scrutiny over his links to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, reconstruction discussions have continued behind the scenes, involving companies in the security, finance, and technology sectors. A joint assessment by the European Union, UN, and World Bank estimates that Gaza will require $71.4 billion for reconstruction over the next decade, including $23 billion needed within the next 18 months.