President Donald Trump announced Sunday that members of his newly formed Board of Peace have pledged $5 billion toward rebuilding the war-devastated Gaza Strip, along with thousands of personnel for an international stabilization and policing mission.
According to Trump, the commitments will be formally unveiled on Thursday when board members convene in Washington for their inaugural meeting.
“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,” Trump said in a social media posting announcing the pledges.
He did not specify which countries are contributing funds or personnel. However, Indonesia’s military confirmed Sunday that up to 8,000 troops could be ready by the end of June for possible deployment to Gaza as part of a humanitarian and peacekeeping mission — marking the first concrete commitment secured by the administration.
Reconstruction of Gaza presents a massive challenge. Estimates from the United Nations, World Bank, and European Union put the cost of rebuilding the territory at approximately $70 billion. Much of the Gaza Strip has been heavily damaged after more than two years of Israeli bombardment.
The October 10 U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas includes provisions for an armed international stabilization force to maintain security and oversee the disarmament of Hamas — a central demand from Israel. So far, only a limited number of countries have indicated willingness to participate in the proposed force.
Although large-scale fighting has eased under the ceasefire, Israeli forces continue to conduct airstrikes and regularly open fire near military-controlled areas.
It remains uncertain how many of the more than 20 Board of Peace members will attend Thursday’s session. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with Trump at the White House last week, is not expected to participate.
Initially viewed as a platform to address the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Board of Peace has since evolved into a broader initiative aligned with Trump’s goal of tackling global crises. The move is widely seen as part of a wider U.S. effort to reshape the post-World War II international framework and potentially bypass the United Nations system.
Several key U.S. allies in Europe and other regions have opted not to join the initiative, reportedly concerned it could serve as a parallel structure to the UN Security Council.
Trump also confirmed that the first meeting will be held at the U.S. Institute of Peace, which the State Department announced in December would remain the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace.
The institute’s headquarters is currently the subject of legal action filed by former employees and executives of the nonprofit think tank, following last year’s takeover of the facility by the administration and the dismissal of most of its staff.
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