U.S. Son-in-Law Joins Donor Conference on Gaza Recovery

Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, joined a Monday video conference of foreign ministers discussing Gaza recovery under the Palestine Donor Group. Kushner holds a central role in the Board of Peace, the body chaired by President Trump that is set to oversee Gaza reconstruction.

The EU has not endorsed the Board of Peace and has ruled out member states routing funds through its accounts. Officials said any European projects in Gaza will still need to engage with Board of Peace representatives.

The Palestine Donor Group launched the Team Gaza Initiative, which will provide €883.6 million for early recovery actions. France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, and the World Bank have pledged support, with Australia, Canada, and Ireland expected to announce contributions soon.

The amount falls short of the $71 billion the EU and United Nations estimate is needed to rebuild Gaza over the next decade. The United States has not joined the initiative, which officials described as separate from the Board of Peace's longer-term plan.

Kushner was invited by an EU commissioner who has maintained contact with him since the Board of Peace's first meeting in February. Kushner previously served as a U.S. peace envoy and helped broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas last year. At the meeting, Kushner stressed the U.S. role in reconstruction and the need to disarm Hamas.

One EU diplomat called the remarks "very choreographed" and not particularly substantial, yet described his presence as a step forward for EU plans.

Kushner maintains contacts with Israel, which retains final approval over reconstruction projects. The day after the meeting, the EU commissioner announced the first two recovery projects approved by Israel, covering water infrastructure and solid waste management.