Billions Pledged for Gaza, But Will It Bring Peace?
In a move that’s sparked both hope and controversy, Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace has secured over $7 billion in pledges for Gaza relief. But here’s where it gets controversial: many of the U.S.'s Western allies, including the UK, Canada, France, and Germany, have refused to join the initiative, fearing it could undermine the United Nations' role in the region. This bold effort, announced by Trump during the board’s inaugural meeting, aims to address the devastation in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, which triggered a brutal conflict. The attack left approximately 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage, while Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 72,000 casualties, according to Hamas-run health authorities. The enclave’s infrastructure lies in ruins, with the UN estimating damages at a staggering $70 billion.
Trump’s plan, however, isn’t just about rebuilding. And this is the part most people miss: it includes a controversial second phase that demands the disarmament of Hamas, a condition Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists must precede any reconstruction. Trump expressed cautious optimism that Hamas would disarm, but on-the-ground reports suggest the group is consolidating its control over Gaza, not relinquishing it. This disconnect raises questions about the feasibility of the plan and the board’s ability to enforce its terms.
The Board of Peace, comprising countries like Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the UAE, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait, has been criticized for its exclusion of key Western powers. Trump, addressing these concerns, vowed to work closely with the UN, stating, “We’re going to bring them back.” Yet, skeptics remain unconvinced, viewing the board as a potential rival to the UN’s authority.
Here’s the real question: Can this initiative truly bring stability to Gaza, or is it just another geopolitical maneuver? Trump hailed Gaza as “no longer a hotbed of radicalism and terror,” but the reality on the ground tells a different story. The proposed transitional Palestinian police force, intended to replace Hamas-controlled security, faces immense challenges. Nickolay Mladenov, the board’s high representative for Gaza, acknowledged the daunting task of recruiting and vetting a new force, with 2,000 applicants already stepping forward. However, both Israel and the U.S. insist this force must be entirely independent of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority’s security forces, a near-impossible feat.
The U.S. plan also involves the International Stabilization Force (ISF), which would work with Israel, Egypt, and the new Palestinian police to secure borders and disarm non-state groups like Hamas. Yet, Mladenov admitted there’s little evidence such a force could effectively oversee Hamas’s disarmament. Hamas, for its part, has publicly tied any weapons handover to Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, a condition Israel is unlikely to accept.
This is where it gets even more complicated: Without a security force that enjoys broad Palestinian support, Trump’s proposals for reconstruction and governance are dead in the water. The board’s approach, characterized by Trump’s real-estate-centric vision and reliance on wealthy investors, has raised eyebrows. Israel’s leadership, too, is wary, particularly of the inclusion of Turkey and Qatar, whose involvement they view as problematic.
Trump’s team defends the initiative as “new thinking,” but critics argue it’s a risky gamble. Mladenov warned that without rapid progress, Gaza risks remaining divided—one part under Israeli occupation, the other under Hamas control—and separated from the West Bank, rendering a future independent state unviable. This would fail both Palestinians and Israelis, perpetuating a cycle of conflict.
So, what do you think? Is Trump’s Board of Peace a bold step toward stability, or a flawed attempt to reshape the region’s future? Let us know in the comments—this is a conversation that needs your voice.
