In Washington on Thursday, President Donald Trump will meet with representatives from over two dozen countries for the inaugural gathering of his Board of Peace. This meeting comes at a critical time for Gaza, which is still reeling from two years of war and a fragile ceasefire.
During the meeting, Trump revealed that board members have pledged $5 billion for Gaza’s reconstruction. However, this is only a small contribution compared to the estimated $70 billion needed to rebuild the territory. In addition, countries will announce commitments to send personnel as part of an international stabilization force.
“We have the greatest leaders in the world joining the Board of Peace,” Trump declared recently, expressing optimism about the board’s potential impact.
The board was originally part of Trump’s 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza. Still, following the October ceasefire, Trump’s vision expanded. He now envisions the board addressing global conflicts, not just those in Gaza. This expansion has raised concerns that Trump might be attempting to create a rival organization to the United Nations, prompting the president to urge the U.N. to “get on the ball.”
Despite receiving commitments from more than 40 countries and the European Union to attend the meeting, there remains skepticism among U.S. allies. Countries like Germany, Italy, and Switzerland have chosen to observe rather than join the board. The U.N. Security Council even scheduled discussions on the Gaza ceasefire to coincide with the board meeting, underscoring the tension between the two efforts.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin stressed that the U.N. should manage international crises. In response, the Trump administration dismissed these concerns, asserting the board is a legitimate body ready to tackle challenges in Gaza.
Key discussions will focus on creating an armed international stabilization force to ensure the disarmament of Hamas, a crucial element of the ceasefire deal. So far, only Indonesia has committed to providing support for this force. Meanwhile, Hamas has shown little inclination toward disarmament, leading U.S. officials to acknowledge the complexities involved.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed a commitment to collaborate with leading Islamic nations on efforts for lasting peace in Palestine. He acknowledged the obstacles but emphasized the importance of trying to achieve results.
Updates on establishing a functioning government and services in Gaza are expected during the meeting, involving key speakers like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Michael Hanna from the International Crisis Group pointed out that skepticism from U.S. allies is reasonable, especially given the lack of a clear mandate for the board beyond Gaza. Many countries are cautiously engaging, hoping to influence U.S. actions and leverage Trump’s position with Israel.
The Board of Peace aims to take concrete steps toward reconstruction in Gaza amid ongoing challenges and uncertainties.
