BY MIRABEL ODETA
U.S. President Donald Trump is set to preside over the inaugural meeting of his newly formed Board of Peace on Thursday, launching a high-profile diplomatic initiative aimed at stabilizing and rebuilding Gaza. The gathering, expected to bring together representatives from more than 45 nations, comes at a time when critical questions about the territory’s future remain unresolved and politically sensitive.
At the center of the discussions are several complex and contentious issues: the disarmament of Hamas militants, the size and structure of a massive reconstruction fund, and the urgent need to restore and expand humanitarian assistance to Gaza’s war-weary population. Each of these matters presents serious challenges that could test the credibility and effectiveness of the board in the months ahead.
Trump is scheduled to address delegates at the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, a federal building he recently renamed. During the session, he is expected to announce that participating nations have collectively pledged $5 billion toward Gaza’s reconstruction. Administration officials describe the amount as an initial installment toward a fund that will likely require tens of billions of dollars to fully rebuild homes, hospitals, schools, infrastructure, and public services devastated by two years of war.
Of the pledged amount, approximately $1.2 billion each is expected to come from two key Gulf Arab partners of Washington — United Arab Emirates and Kuwait — signaling significant regional backing for the initiative. U.S. officials say additional contributions from other participating countries are anticipated in the coming months.
Despite the ambitious financial commitments, the Board of Peace has sparked controversy both domestically and internationally. While Israel is included among participating members, Palestinian representatives are notably absent, raising concerns about legitimacy and inclusiveness. Critics argue that any durable peace framework must involve Palestinian voices directly, especially on issues such as governance, security arrangements, and reconstruction oversight.
Further unease has arisen over Trump’s suggestion that the Board of Peace could eventually broaden its mandate beyond Gaza to address other global conflicts. Some diplomats fear such a move could dilute or sideline the role of the United Nations, which has traditionally served as the primary forum for international diplomacy and conflict resolution.
Senior U.S. officials have indicated that Trump will also announce plans for several countries to contribute thousands of troops to an International Stabilization Force designed to help maintain order in Gaza once conditions permit. However, the deployment of peacekeeping forces hinges on a critical precondition: the disarmament of Hamas militants. Without progress on that front, officials acknowledge, the force is unlikely to be operational for weeks or even months.
Hamas, which governs Gaza, has shown reluctance to surrender its weapons. The group reportedly fears that disarmament could leave it vulnerable to potential Israeli military action. The issue is a central pillar of Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan, which helped broker a fragile ceasefire last October after two years of intense conflict.
“We are under no illusions about the challenges surrounding demilitarization,” a senior administration official said, emphasizing that negotiations remain delicate. “But we have been encouraged by the reports coming back from mediators.”
Delegations from 47 countries, along with representatives from the European Union, are expected to attend the summit. The participant list spans a broad geographic range, from Israel to nations across Europe, Asia, and beyond. Notably absent, however, are several permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, including France, Britain, Russia, and China — an omission that underscores geopolitical tensions surrounding the initiative.
High-profile speakers at the event are expected to include Secretary of State Marco Rubio; U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner; former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is anticipated to take on a senior advisory role within the board; U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz; and Nickolay Mladenov, designated as High Representative for Gaza.
Even among supporters, there is recognition that the Gaza plan faces formidable obstacles. One board member, speaking anonymously, stressed that establishing security in the territory is the foundation for any meaningful progress. Yet Gaza’s police force is currently undertrained and underprepared to assume full responsibility for maintaining order.
Another unresolved question centers on who would negotiate directly with Hamas. While board representatives might engage intermediary nations that maintain influence over the group — particularly Qatar and Turkey — Israel remains deeply skeptical of both countries’ roles and intentions.
Humanitarian assistance represents yet another pressing challenge. The current flow of aid into Gaza has been described by officials as severely inadequate. Scaling up deliveries is considered urgent, but logistical and political hurdles complicate distribution. Even if large quantities of food, medical supplies, and building materials begin entering the territory, uncertainty remains over who would oversee and manage their delivery to civilians.
As Trump convenes this first meeting of the Board of Peace, expectations are high but so are doubts. The initiative represents a bold attempt to reshape the diplomatic landscape surrounding Gaza, yet its success will depend on resolving deeply entrenched political disputes, securing trust among regional players, and translating financial pledges into tangible improvements on the ground.
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