President Donald Trump's newly formed Board of Peace is set to hold its inaugural meeting Thursday in Washington. The gathering, expected to include representatives from at least 20 countries, aims to advance the next phase of Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction efforts.
The initiative, unveiled last month at the World Economic Forum, has already seen pledges of $5 billion for Gaza's rebuilding, with participating nations committing personnel to stabilization and policing efforts. Italy plans to train a future Gaza police force, while Indonesia has offered troops for a potential international stabilization mission.
However, the long-term reconstruction of Gaza remains contingent on security conditions, primarily Hamas's disarmament. Analysts emphasize that the meeting's success will depend on participants aligning on this critical issue. Funding commitments are anticipated, but their translation into tangible reconstruction aid may be delayed pending progress on disarmament.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has joined the initiative, navigating political tensions with Turkey and Qatar also involved. European allies have raised legal and institutional concerns, noting the Board of Peace's charter may diverge from existing U.N. frameworks for Gaza. Despite these concerns, U.S. officials maintain the Board of Peace is crucial for breaking the cycle of conflict.