What is the story about?
President Donald Trump convened representatives from over two dozen nations on Thursday for the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace, which aims to
facilitate reconstruction and establish an international stabilization force in Gaza. This meeting occurs as the region grapples with a fragile ceasefire agreement following years of conflict. During the meeting, Trump announced that board members have committed $5 billion towards reconstruction efforts, a small fraction of the estimated $70 billion required to rebuild Gaza. Participants are also expected to discuss the deployment of thousands of personnel to aid in stabilization and policing efforts in the area.
Objectives of the Board
The Board of Peace was launched as part of Trump's 20-point peace initiative aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Gaza. However, since the ceasefire in October, the scope of the board has expanded significantly. Trump envisions it not only as a means to foster peace between Israel and Hamas but also as a platform to address global conflicts.Despite the ambitious goals, the current ceasefire remains tenuous, raising concerns that Trump's vision may be an attempt to create a rival to the United Nations. Earlier this week, Trump expressed a desire for the board to encourage the U.N. to enhance its effectiveness.
Skepticism Among Allies
More than 40 nations and the European Union confirmed their attendance at the meeting, with Germany, Italy, Norway, and Switzerland among those participating as observers despite not being board members. A senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted the mixed reception from various countries.The U.N. Security Council convened a high-level meeting on the ceasefire and Israel's actions in the West Bank just before Trump's meeting, indicating the complicated diplomatic landscape surrounding the board's formation.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, emphasized that the U.N. should primarily manage international crises. The Trump administration countered these concerns, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt asserting that the board represents a legitimate effort with significant international participation.
Disarming Hamas
A central topic of discussion at the meeting will be the establishment of an armed international stabilization force tasked with maintaining security and facilitating the disarmament of Hamas, a crucial requirement for Israel and a key component of the ceasefire agreement.To date, only Indonesia has firmly committed to contributing to the proposed force, while Hamas has shown little willingness to engage in disarmament discussions. A U.S. official acknowledged the challenges of demilitarization but expressed optimism based on feedback from mediators.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reiterated his commitment to collaborating with other Islamic nations to pursue lasting peace in Palestine, recognizing the significant obstacles that remain.
Updates from the Gaza Executive Board regarding efforts to establish a functional government and essential services in the territory are anticipated during the meeting. Key speakers will include Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and other notable figures.
Concerns from Experts
Michael Hanna, U.S. program director at the International Crisis Group, highlighted that skepticism from U.S. allies regarding the board's mandate is justified. He noted the absence of clear authorization for the board's expanded role beyond Gaza, which has led many nations to decline participation.Hanna remarked, 'Without any clear authorization for the expansion of its mandate beyond Gaza, it is unsurprising that many U.S. allies and partners have chosen to decline Trump’s offer to join the board.' He suggested that states invested in Gaza's future may instead aim to focus U.S. attention and influence on Israel.
