A New International Effort Gains Momentum
President Donald Trump’s newly created Board of Peace is showing early signs of traction, with member states pledging more than $5 billion for humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Gaza. The announcement is expected to be formally unveiled during the organization’s inaugural meeting on February 19 at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C.
According to Trump, the financial pledges are only part of a broader commitment that also includes thousands of personnel for a United Nations authorized stabilization mission and local policing effort in the Palestinian territory.
“Member States have pledged more than $5 BILLION DOLLARS toward the Gaza Humanitarian and Reconstruction efforts, and have committed thousands of personnel to the International Stabilization Force and Local Police to maintain Security and Peace for Gazans,” Trump wrote.
The initiative is being framed as a major step toward implementing his broader peace strategy for the region.
The Board of Peace was created as part of Trump’s plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas, and it quickly gained legitimacy when its framework was adopted unanimously by the United Nations Security Council.
Trump said the organization has already demonstrated effectiveness. He pointed to rapid humanitarian aid delivery following the ceasefire and the release of hostages as early successes.
“Last October, I released a Plan for the permanent end to the Conflict in Gaza, and our Vision was unanimously adopted by the United Nations Security Council. Shortly thereafter, we facilitated Humanitarian Aid at record speed, and secured the release of every living and deceased Hostage,” he said.
The board was formally celebrated last month in Davos, Switzerland, where more than two dozen founding members gathered to launch the initiative and present a long term vision not only for Gaza but also for broader global conflict resolution.
Countries Involved and Financial Contributions
More than 20 nations have accepted invitations to join the Board of Peace. Regional powers participating include Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, and Indonesia, along with several emerging nations.
Membership comes with significant financial requirements. Permanent membership requires a $1 billion fee, underscoring the scale of commitment expected from participating countries.
While Trump has not publicly detailed which countries are responsible for the specific reconstruction pledges, the participation of multiple Middle Eastern states and developing nations suggests a coalition focused on regional stabilization rather than relying solely on Western allies.
Some traditional U.S. allies in Europe have declined to participate, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, and Italy, reflecting caution about the new organization and concerns that it could rival existing United Nations structures.
Personnel Commitments and Security Plans
Security remains central to the Board of Peace mission. The ceasefire agreement calls for an international armed stabilization force to maintain order and ensure the disarmament of Hamas, which Israel has identified as a critical condition for lasting peace.
Trump emphasized that demilitarization is essential.
“Very importantly, Hamas must uphold its commitment to Full and Immediate Demilitarization,” he wrote.
Indonesia has provided the first concrete military commitment, announcing that up to 8,000 troops could be ready by June for deployment as part of a humanitarian and peacekeeping mission in Gaza. This represents the most substantial personnel pledge so far and signals that the stabilization force could become operational.
Thousands of additional personnel are expected from other member states, though details have not yet been released.
The Scale of the Challenge in Gaza
Rebuilding Gaza remains a massive undertaking. Estimates from the United Nations, World Bank, and European Union place reconstruction costs at roughly $70 billion after more than two years of war that left much of the territory devastated.
Few locations in Gaza were left untouched by sustained bombardment, making infrastructure restoration, housing construction, and economic recovery complex and expensive tasks.
Despite the enormous financial requirements, the initial $5 billion pledge is being viewed as a significant starting point that demonstrates international willingness to engage with Trump’s framework.
The Broader Aim of the Board of Peace
While Gaza is the immediate focus, Trump has presented the Board of Peace as a much larger initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts and reshaping international cooperation.
He described the organization in sweeping terms.
“The Board of Peace will prove to be the most consequential International Body in History, and it is my honor to serve as its Chairman.”
The long term vision extends beyond Gaza toward what Trump characterized as the pursuit of world peace, with the organization potentially addressing future conflicts in other regions.
The effort also reflects an attempt to create a new international structure alongside or outside traditional United Nations mechanisms, part of a broader strategy to reshape the post World War II global order.
An Effort That Appears to Be Working
Although challenges remain, including ceasefire violations and skepticism from some Western governments, the early financial pledges and troop commitments suggest the initiative is gaining momentum.
The combination of humanitarian funding, security planning, and diplomatic coordination represents one of the most ambitious international peace efforts tied directly to Trump’s leadership.
If the pledged funds materialize and stabilization forces deploy successfully, the Board of Peace could become a defining feature of Trump’s foreign policy legacy and a potential turning point in Gaza’s recovery.
