Trump announces $5 billion Gaza pledge as new Board of Peace prepares for first meeting
By isabelle // 2026-02-17
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  • Trump's Board of Peace secures $5 billion for Gaza tied to Hamas disarmament.
  • The board plans to deploy international forces, with Indonesia committing 8,000 troops.
  • Membership requires a $1 billion fee, causing many Western allies to abstain.
  • The plan's core demand for Hamas to disarm is a condition the group already rejects.
  • Critics warn the force may be seen as foreign occupation, risking local resistance.
President Trump has announced that his newly formed Board of Peace secured pledges exceeding $5 billion for Gaza's reconstruction and humanitarian needs. The board, which will hold its first official meeting on Thursday in Washington, D.C., also plans to deploy thousands of international personnel to maintain security. This ambitious plan directly ties massive aid to the complete disarmament of Hamas, setting the stage for a complex and volatile new phase in the region. President Trump framed the board's mission in dramatic terms on his Truth Social platform. "Very importantly, Hamas must uphold its commitment to Full and Immediate Demilitarization," he wrote. He declared the board would "prove to be the most consequential International Body in History, and it is my honor to serve as its Chairman." The meeting will be held at a venue recently renamed by the State Department: the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. The financial and security commitments are substantial. The $5 billion pledge is aimed at addressing the immense devastation in Gaza following the recent conflict. On the security front, Indonesia has made the first firm troop commitment, with its military expecting to have 8,000 personnel ready for a potential Gaza deployment by the end of June. These forces would serve as part of an international stabilization mission to police the ceasefire.

A costly seat at the table

Membership in this powerful new body does not come cheap. Securing a permanent seat on the Board of Peace requires a $1 billion fee from member states. This high cost has contributed to a notable divide in the international response. While nearly 20 countries, including Israel, Turkey, Egypt, and several nations from Latin America and Asia, have joined, key Western allies have largely abstained. Multiple European powers have declined President Trump's invitation. France, Germany, Greece, Italy, and the United Kingdom are among those who will not be members. Canada's invitation was revoked by Trump after Prime Minister Mark Carney voiced opposition to the president's bid to acquire Greenland. This absence of traditional U.S. partners raises questions about the board's long-term legitimacy and operational breadth.

The central point of contention

The board's entire premise hinges on a condition that Hamas has already rejected. Trump’s vision requires Hamas to surrender all weapons as the Palestinian Authority assumes governance. However, Hamas has consistently vowed to give up political control but rejects disarmament until the formation of a Palestinian state. This is not a minor detail but the central hurdle. Critics and regional diplomats see immense risk in the plan. One Arab diplomat told the Times of Israel, "Palestinians may not want to live under the rule of Hamas, but the idea that they'll be willing to move to live under Israeli occupation and be controlled by a party responsible for killing 70,000 of their brethren is fantastical." This sentiment underscores the profound distrust that could doom any security mission. Furthermore, Hamas and other Palestinian factions have already rejected what they term "foreign guardianship," framing the board's plan as a thinly veiled extension of Israeli occupation. They argue that an international force, particularly one that includes Israel as a member, is merely occupation by another name. This sets the stage for potential resistance, making the promised security mission exceptionally dangerous for any troops deployed. The historical context here is critical. Past attempts at imposing security solutions from the outside have often fueled resentment and violence. The people of Gaza have endured years of conflict, blockade, and political division. A plan perceived as being imposed by an international board chaired by an American president, with Israeli involvement, may struggle to find acceptance on the ground, regardless of the aid money attached. So, as dignitaries gather in Washington to formalize the $5 billion pledge and discuss troop deployments, the real test awaits in the rubble of Gaza. The success of this "most consequential" board will not be measured in dollars pledged or soldiers mobilized, but in whether it can navigate a political minefield that is more explosive than any yet cleared. The people of Gaza need rebuilding, but they also demand self-determination. Reconciling those needs is the task that will ultimately define this ambitious and controversial new chapter. Sources for this article include: InfoWars.com FoxNews.com Reuters.com TheHill.com
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