The inauguration of President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, a cornerstone of his administration’s Middle East strategy —- is set to convene in Washington on February 19.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday signed onto the Board of Peace with Marco Rubio, amid potential hurdles in Gaza fundraising due to the Hamas standoff.
With this, Israel officially joined Donald Trump’s international Board of Peace.
Netanyahu signed the agreement with the body during a meeting with Rubio, and they posed with the documents.
“Met with U.S. Secretary of State @marcorubio at Blair House in Washington. Ahead of my meeting at the White House with President Trump, I signed Israel’s accession as a member of the “Board of Peace. We will continue strengthening the unbreakable alliance between Israel and the United States,” said Netanyahu on his X post.
The event to target a primary focus on fundraising — for “Gaza’s reconstruction”.
This ambitious initiative aims to oversee the rebuilding of the war-torn enclave following a fragile ceasefire brokered in October 2025, which ended over two years of conflict. However, the Board’s efforts are increasingly jeopardized by Hamas’s refusal to disarm, casting a shadow over potential donor commitments and the viability of the entire plan.
Trump’s 20-Point Plan for Gaza, endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803 in November 2025, envisions a demilitarized Gaza governed by a Palestinian technocratic council under the Board’s supervision.
The Board, chaired by Trump and comprising over two dozen world leaders, including representatives from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and potentially Saudi Arabia, is tasked with facilitating security, governance, and reconstruction.
A key pillar is the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to secure the territory until Palestinian forces can take over.
Reconstruction, projected to cost billions, includes glitzy developments outlined by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, such as modern infrastructure and economic incentives to prevent future conflicts.
Yet, the plan’s success hinges on Hamas relinquishing its arsenal. Under the agreement, Hamas must hand over heavy weaponry, destroy manufacturing sites, and integrate some members into new security forces.
But Hamas remains armed and in control of roughly half of Gaza!
Despite the ceasefire and the reopening of the Rafah border crossing, no disarmament talks have commenced, with Hamas insisting on retaining arms for “self-defense.” U.S. officials, including Kushner, have publicly stated that reconstruction cannot proceed without demilitarization, warning that Hamas “doesn’t have a choice” and hinting at potential military enforcement by the U.S. or Israel.
This impasse has directly impacted fundraising. Potential donors, including Gulf states and Western allies, are reluctant to pledge funds amid fears that unresolved disarmament could reignite hostilities, rendering investments futile. Reuters sources indicate no major commitments have materialized, with countries demanding assurances that aid won’t fuel another war zone.
European leaders express skepticism about the Board’s broad mandate, viewing it as a U.S.-dominated alternative to the UN, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a Board member, remains wary and has not confirmed attendance at the summit.
Netanyahu’s position is that Israel won’t fully withdraw until Hamas disarms within a 60-day window, potentially allowing resumed operations if unmet.
Mediators like Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey are optimistic about negotiating demilitarization, but progress is slow.
However, the Trump administration presses ahead, aiming to announce billions in pledges at the meeting, adopting an “optimistic approach” despite the fog.
As the summit approaches, the world watches whether Trump’s deal-making prowess can bridge this critical gap.
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