Trump hails ‘Board of Peace’, says over $5 billion pledged for Gaza aid

Donald Trump unveiled a new peace initiative aimed at reshaping Gaza’s future.
He claimed broad international backing and major funding commitments for reconstruction.
The announcement has drawn both praise and sharp global scrutiny.

What happened:
US President Donald Trump announced that member states have pledged more than $5 billion for humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Gaza under his newly formed “Board of Peace”.

Why it matters now:
The initiative is linked to the fragile Gaza ceasefire and proposes a new framework for security, governance, and aid delivery.

What changes for people:
If implemented, the plan could shape how Gaza is rebuilt, governed, and secured in the post-war period.

Who is affected:
Civilians in Gaza, regional powers, donor countries, Israel, Palestinian groups, and international institutions.

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Trump unveils a self-styled peace initiative

US President Donald Trump on Sunday hailed the formation of what he called the “Board of Peace,” describing it as a personally designed mechanism to advance global peace negotiations. In a post on his platform Truth Social, Trump said the body has “unlimited potential” and claimed that its Gaza-related vision was unanimously adopted by the United Nations Security Council.**

He asserted that the board has already enabled humanitarian aid delivery at “record speed” and helped secure the release of all hostages, living and deceased.

Funding pledge and Washington event

Trump announced that he will meet board members at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., on February 19. At the event, he expects to formally declare that participating countries have pledged over $5 billion toward Gaza’s humanitarian relief and reconstruction.

He also said thousands of personnel have committed to an International Stabilization Force and local policing units to maintain security for civilians in Gaza.

Gaza redevelopment and security framework

According to Trump, the Board of Peace will oversee funding and planning for Gaza’s redevelopment. The framework is based on a 20-point plan he first announced in September, which later paved the way for the current ceasefire.

The plan, endorsed by the UN Security Council under Resolution 2803 in November 2025, envisions a multinational force deployed after Hamas lays down its weapons. It also proposes a transitional Palestinian governance committee operating under the board’s oversight.

Trump stressed that Hamas must commit to full and immediate demilitarisation, calling the board “the most consequential international body in history” and saying it was his honour to serve as chairman.

International reaction and skepticism

More than 20 countries have reportedly joined the Board of Peace, according to The New York Times. However, AFP reported that the initiative has drawn wide international scrutiny.

Some Western allies have either declined to participate or expressed caution about the board’s structure and governance model. Critics also point out that Hamas has historically rejected disarmament, describing it as a red line, even while signalling limited conditional flexibility in negotiations involving future Palestinian governance.

Aid, politics, and uncertainty ahead

While Trump has framed the Board of Peace as a cornerstone of his foreign policy legacy, analysts say the real test will be whether pledged funds materialise and whether the security and governance conditions outlined in the plan can be enforced on the ground.