Former US President Donald Trump revealed on Sunday that members of the newly established ‘Board of Peace’ initiative have committed $5 billion toward Gaza Strip reconstruction efforts and pledged thousands of personnel for international stabilization missions in the conflict-ravaged territory. Trump, serving as the board’s chairman, proclaimed the organization would become “the most consequential International Body in History” through a social media announcement.
The Board of Peace emerged as a central component of the recent Gaza ceasefire agreement, which concluded a devastating two-year conflict that resulted in approximately 72,000 Palestinian casualties and widespread infrastructure destruction according to reports. The financial commitments and operational details are scheduled for formal confirmation during the board’s inaugural meeting this Thursday in Washington, DC.
Notably, the board’s charter grants Trump extensive executive authority, including the power to appoint and remove member states—a decision reversible only by a two-thirds majority vote. This controversial structure has drawn significant criticism from European leaders who argue the initiative bypasses United Nations mandates that originally supported its creation.
At the Munich Security Conference, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas expressed concern that Trump’s initiative made no reference to Gaza or UN involvement, contradicting original resolution stipulations that ensured Palestinian input and explicit Gaza focus. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and US Democratic Senator Chris Murphy similarly criticized the approach.
The current membership includes 19 nations, featuring nearly all major Middle Eastern powers including Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Indonesia has committed 8,000 non-combat troops for potential deployment, while Italy will participate as an observer due to constitutional constraints preventing full membership.
The reconstruction challenges are monumental, with UN, World Bank and European Union estimates projecting $70 billion in rebuilding costs following Israel’s sustained bombardment since October 2023. United Nations assessments indicate approximately 80% of all structures and housing units in Gaza have been destroyed or severely damaged.