Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump has announced that member states of the newly formed Board of Peace will pledge over $5 billion for Gaza’s reconstruction and humanitarian relief efforts during a high-level meeting on February 19.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said the funding commitment will be formally unveiled at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., a venue recently renamed in his honor.
“Very importantly, Hamas must uphold its commitment to full and immediate demilitarization,” Trump wrote, calling the Board of Peace “the most consequential international body in history.”
Humanitarian Aid and Stabilization Efforts
The funding pledge includes contributions to humanitarian assistance and rebuilding projects in Gaza. In addition, thousands of personnel will be deployed as part of a UN-authorized International Stabilization Force, along with local police support to maintain security and stability in the region.
Trump emphasized that the effort aims to strengthen regional peace and post-conflict recovery, following Israel and Hamas’s US-backed ceasefire agreement last October.
First Official Meeting of the Board of Peace
The February 19 gathering marks the first formal meeting of the Board of Peace, which was chartered in January. Nearly 20 countries are members, with delegations from more than 20 nations, including heads of state, expected to attend.
Seventeen countries initially signed the Gaza Board of Peace charter at a ceremony in Davos, Switzerland, in late January, including nations from Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Central and Southeast Asia.
Israel Joins, Global Powers Remain Cautious
Israel formally joined the Board of Peace ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s White House visit, along with regional powers such as Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Indonesia.
However, several traditional Western allies and global powers have been cautious. Countries such as Poland and Italy have opted out, while invitations were extended to Russia, France, Germany, China, Ukraine, Finland, Vietnam, Ireland, and Greece.
Military and Diplomatic Backing
The United States has simultaneously strengthened its military presence in the region. Trump has deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and the USS Michael Murphy, alongside other key naval assets, to strategic waterways around Iran and the Middle East.
These moves underscore a parallel US strategy of diplomacy and deterrence, supporting Gaza stabilization while addressing broader regional security concerns, including ongoing negotiations with Iranian officials in Oman.
Ongoing Challenges
Despite the ceasefire, Gaza has seen renewed violence. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 590 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops since the truce, while Israel reports four of its soldiers killed by Palestinian militants.
The Board of Peace meeting and Trump’s $5 billion pledge aim to address both the humanitarian crisis and long-term reconstruction, positioning the initiative as a centerpiece of the Trump administration’s regional peace strategy.
