Trump Unveils $5 Billion ‘Board of Peace’ Pledge for Gaza Reconstruction and Security Force
United States President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that member states of his newly formed “Board of Peace” have pledged over $5 billion toward humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip. The initiative, part of a broader post-war stabilization strategy, also includes commitments of thousands of personnel for an International Stabilization Force and local police units intended to maintain order in the enclave.
Speaking via his Truth Social platform ahead of a formal announcement scheduled for Thursday at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, the President highlighted the financial and security commitments as a decisive step toward lasting stability. The plan reportedly involves major regional players, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Turkey, working alongside the U.S. to implement a vision of a “New Gaza” featuring high-rise developments and coastal tourism projects championed by senior adviser Jared Kushner.
International Skepticism and Political Hurdles
Despite the administration’s optimism, the proposal has drawn sharp criticism from international allies and regional stakeholders. European Union leaders have expressed concern that the “Board of Peace” effectively bypasses established United Nations frameworks. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, criticized the initiative for lacking the broad international legitimacy of a UN mandate and for potentially sidelining Palestinian political agency in favor of a strictly “technocratic” governance model.
Critics have also raised alarms over the board’s structure, which reportedly requires substantial financial contributions for permanent membership, leading some observers to label it a “pay-to-play” system. Furthermore, Palestinian officials and advocacy groups have objected to the lack of direct consultation with the Gaza population regarding the “master plan” for their territory. Hamas, which the Trump administration has urged to “immediately disarm” as a precondition for the plan’s full implementation, has previously declared disarmament a red line, complicating the deployment of any stabilization force.
Context of the Crisis
The announcement comes amidst a fragile security landscape in Gaza following the devastating conflict that began in October 2023. While the UN Security Council previously adopted Resolution 2803 to support a ceasefire and reconstruction framework, the “Board of Peace” represents a parallel mechanism initiated by the Trump administration to accelerate these efforts outside traditional diplomatic channels.
The proposed International Stabilization Force aims to fill the security vacuum left by the war, a task that has bedeviled previous diplomatic efforts. As the humanitarian situation remains critical, the success of this $5 billion pledge hinges not only on the delivery of funds but also on the cooperation of local factions and the broader international community’s willingness to accept a U.S.-led alternative to UN oversight.
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