Trump’s Peace Commission Pledges $5 Billion for Gaza Reconstruction
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — On Sunday, President Trump revealed that his newly established Peace Commission would commit $5 billion to aid the reconstruction of Gaza, which has suffered extensive damage from ongoing conflict. Additionally, the plan includes the potential deployment of international stabilization and police troops to the area.
The official announcement of this pledge is set to take place on Thursday during the Commission’s first meeting in Washington.
In a social media update, Trump expressed his pride in leading what he believes will be “the most influential international organization in history.”
While specifics regarding which nations are contributing to the rebuilding effort or providing personnel for the stabilization mission were not disclosed, Indonesia confirmed on Sunday that it plans to prepare up to 8,000 troops for possible deployment to Gaza by the end of June. This marks the first endorsement of a Republican president from an international military force.
Reconstructing the Palestinian territories poses a significant challenge. The United Nations, along with the World Bank and the European Union, estimates that the rebuilding could require around $70 billion. The Gaza Strip, unfortunately, has seen little relief, having been ravaged by over two years of Israeli military action.
The ceasefire agreement outlines the deployment of armed international stabilization forces, tasked with maintaining security and ensuring the disarmament of Hamas, a condition Israel insists upon. So far, interest from other countries in joining this mission appears minimal.
A ceasefire negotiated by the United States on October 10 aimed to resolve the over two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas. Although major hostilities have ceased, Israeli airstrikes and operations against Palestinians in military zones continue.
The participation of over 20 members of the peace committee at Thursday’s meeting remains uncertain, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently met with Trump, is not expected to join.
Initially, the board’s focus seemed to be on addressing the Israeli-Hamas conflict, but it appears to expand into a larger ambition of resolving global issues, indicating a shift in U.S. foreign policy away from the United Nations system established post-World War II.
This effort may also be seen as a means to challenge the traditional authority of the UN Security Council, since several key U.S. allies in Europe have chosen not to engage.
Trump confirmed that the meeting will take place at the United States Institute of Peace, which the State Department stated would be renamed the Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace. This facility is currently involved in legal action from former staff members after nearly all of the institute’s workers were dismissed last year following its transfer to the Trump administration.
