Trump’s Board of Peace Convenes for First Time as US Touts Disarmament Prospects

US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace held its inaugural meeting on Thursday, February 19, in Washington, aiming to advance the reconstruction of Gaza despite looming questions over whether Hamas will agree to disarm. The meeting came nearly four months after the Trump administration brokered a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip that allowed the release of all remaining Israeli hostages. Trump announced that the US would contribute $10 billion to the Board of Peace, with other member states contributing an additional $7 billion.

Nearly fifty countries were represented at the gathering, with Israel, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, and others sending foreign ministers or other senior officials. A senior US official pushed back on the notion that progress in Gaza has stalled, saying, “We are under no illusions on the challenges regarding demilitarization, but we have been encouraged by what the mediators have reported back.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio added, “There’s a lot of work that remains that will require the contribution of every nation state represented here today.”

Key challenges remain, including Hamas’s disarmament and the establishment of an international stabilization force. Only Indonesia has offered a firm commitment of troops for the proposed force. Israeli officials have expressed deep skepticism about Hamas voluntarily disarming, with the IDF believing it will ultimately need to act if the terror group refuses. Despite these hurdles, Board of Peace officials expressed optimism that progress is being made. (TOI/VFI News)

“Heavenly Father, we come before You and lift up the complex situation in Gaza. We pray for wisdom for all leaders involved in negotiations, that genuine and lasting peace may come to the region. We ask that You expose the schemes of Hamas and other terror organizations who wish to continue violence and terror, and that You bring about true disarmament and reconciliation. We pray for the protection of all innocent lives in Israel and Gaza, and for Your justice to prevail. May the plans for reconstruction bring real hope and healing to those who have suffered. In Yeshua’s Name we pray.”