Trump's Board of Peace Secures Five Billion Pounds for Gaza Reconstruction
Gaza, 17 February 2026
President Trump’s newly established Board of Peace has secured over $5 billion in international pledges to rebuild Gaza’s war-damaged infrastructure. The announcement comes ahead of the board’s inaugural meeting in Washington on 19th February 2026, where formal commitments will be unveiled. With Gaza’s total reconstruction costs estimated at $70 billion by the UN and World Bank, this initial funding represents a significant first step. The initiative includes thousands of international personnel for stabilisation efforts, though challenges remain with ongoing ceasefire violations and Hamas’s resistance to disarmament requirements.
International Commitment Structure and Timeline
The Board of Peace, endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803 on 17th November 2025, operates on a distinctive funding model requiring $1 billion commitments for permanent membership [1]. Trump announced the pledge on Sunday, 9th February 2026, stating that member states have committed over $5 billion for Gaza humanitarian and reconstruction efforts [1][2]. The formal announcement is scheduled for the board’s inaugural meeting in Washington DC on 19th February 2026, though some sources indicate the meeting may occur on 20th February [3][4]. The United Arab Emirates appears positioned to become the first nation to pledge the full $1 billion membership fee, with Kuwait also expressing interest in joining the board [4].
Military and Security Component
Beyond financial commitments, the Board of Peace has secured substantial personnel pledges for Gaza’s stabilisation. Trump announced that member states have committed “thousands of personnel to the International Stabilisation Force and Local Police to maintain Security and Peace for Gazans” [4]. Indonesia’s military confirmed on 16th February 2026 that up to 8,000 troops may be ready for deployment to Gaza by the end of June [1]. This international force forms part of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement from 10th October 2025, which calls for an armed international stabilisation force to ensure security and disarm Hamas [1][5].
Reconstruction Scale and Ambitious Development Plans
The $5 billion pledge represents 7.143 per cent of Gaza’s estimated total reconstruction needs, which the UN, World Bank, and EU calculate at $70 billion [1][3][5]. The scope extends far beyond basic infrastructure repair. At the Board of Peace signing ceremony in Switzerland in January 2026, Jared Kushner presented a comprehensive “master plan” for Gaza’s redevelopment, featuring skyscrapers, new cities, and a coastal tourism zone [3]. This ambitious reconstruction programme would require at least $25 billion in investment and take two to three years to complete [3].
Ongoing Challenges and Ceasefire Violations
Despite the reconstruction pledges, significant obstacles remain on the ground. Since the ceasefire began on 10th October 2025, Israeli forces have killed at least 601 Palestinians and wounded 1,607 others, according to Gaza authorities [4]. The Government Media Office in Gaza reports that Israel carried out at least 1,620 violations of the ceasefire agreement between 10th October 2025 and 10th February 2026 [4]. Most recently, Israeli forces killed at least 11 Palestinians in attacks across Gaza on 8th February 2026, including strikes on tents in Jabalia refugee camp and attacks in Khan Younis [4]. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem described these actions as a “clear attempt to impose a bloody reality on the ground” that undermines peace efforts [4]. For Gaza’s refugee population and those displaced by the conflict, these continued violations create uncertainty about when safe conditions for reconstruction might materialise, potentially affecting the timeline for implementing the Board of Peace’s ambitious rebuilding plans.