February 16, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
In a high-profile announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump said that members of his newly formed Board of Peace have pledged more than $5 billion toward the reconstruction of war-torn Gaza, with plans to also commit thousands of personnel to an international stabilisation and peacekeeping effort in the Palestinian territory. The pledges seen as a diplomatic centerpiece of the Trump administration’s approach to Middle East peace are expected to be formally unveiled at the board’s inaugural meeting in Washington later this week.
Trump, who chairs the Board of Peace initiative, described the funding commitment as a historic step toward rebuilding Gaza’s shattered infrastructure after more than two years of intense conflict. The proposed financial support is intended to help with humanitarian relief and reconstruction projects across the territory’s devastated cities, homes, and public services.
Board of Peace: Mission and Member Commitments
The Board of Peace was launched by the U.S. in late 2025 as part of a broader ceasefire and reconstruction plan following the conflict between Israel and Hamas. It brings together more than 20 participating nations and organisations, although details on which countries are contributing to the $5 billion pledge have not yet been disclosed. Indonesia is among the first to make a clear commitment — announcing that as many as 8,000 of its troops could be prepared by June 2026 to assist in Gaza’s stabilisation and humanitarian efforts.
Various reports suggest that contributions are expected not only in monetary terms but also through deployed personnel intended to support an international stabilisation force and local police training, aimed at maintaining security and aiding reconstruction on the ground.
Scale of the Reconstruction Challenge
While $5 billion represents a significant financial commitment, international institutions — including the United Nations, the World Bank, and the European Union — estimate that a full reconstruction of Gaza could cost around $70 billion because of the extensive destruction of infrastructure, housing, and utilities after years of hostilities.
Trump’s initiative is tightly linked to the broader framework agreed through diplomatic efforts since the initial ceasefire deal of October 2025, which also called for an armed multinational International Stabilization Force to help manage security and facilitate disarmament processes in the territory.
International Reaction and Strategic Implications
The Board of Peace plan reflects the Trump administration’s effort to reshape global peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction efforts. However, some traditional U.S. allies have been cautious or declined full participation, citing concerns about parallel structures outside established mechanisms like the United Nations Security Council.
Supporters of the initiative argue that a focused multilateral board could expedite reconstruction and peace processes, while critics warn that funding pledges must be tied to robust governance, transparency, and clear strategic oversight to avoid delays or mismanagement.
As the board’s first official session approaches, world leaders and international observers will be watching closely to see how the pledged funds are allocated, which additional nations commit support, and how the initiative aligns with long-term peace and governance frameworks for Gaza.