WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced pledges of some $17 billion for emergency relief and the reconstruction of Gaza, at the inaugural meeting in Washington of his Board of Peace.

The number was larger than previewed, with Trump revealing during the event’s opening remarks that $10 billion would come from the US alone and that Middle Eastern countries and others would tack on an additional $7 billion.

Large sums have been pledged by countries to rebuild the Gaza Strip after previous wars, though, and much of it was never actually delivered.

Regardless, the pledges provided the Trump administration with a much-needed boost to its efforts advancing the second phase of its 20-point Gaza peace plan, which envisions replacing Hamas with a transitional technocratic government overseen by the Board of Peace and effectively rebuilding the entire Strip after a US-brokered ceasefire in October ended two years of devastating war.

In addition to the financial pledges, Trump revealed that five countries — Indonesia, Morocco, Albania, Kosovo and Kazakhstan — agreed to contribute thousands of personnel to the International Stabilization Force, which is supposed to gradually replace Israeli troops in Gaza.

Israel, however, has declared it will not further withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is disarmed, and has even indicated that might still not be enough for it to pull soldiers out of the Strip.

Trump reiterated in his lengthy opening remarks that Hamas will “be harshly met” if the terrorist group does not agree to give up its weapons.

Speaking shortly after the US president, the Board of Peace’s High Representative for Gaza Nickolay Mladenov said the mediating countries — the US, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey — have agreed on a framework for the decommissioning of weapons, which would soon be presented to the armed Gaza-based factions for negotiation.

Given that the countries that expressed willingness to contribute to the ISF have conditioned their participation on limiting the force’s tasks to more modest tasks such as patrolling the border and securing humanitarian aid, a no less important body to Trump’s plan will be the yet-to-be-established Palestinian police.

Shortly before Thursday’s event, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) — tasked with replacing Hamas in governing the Strip — published a job posting on its website for Palestinians interested in serving on the Gaza police force.

Public AnnouncementBuild #Gaza’s Future; Serve with Responsibility The #NCAG is recruiting qualified candidates for a professional, accountable, transparent, and merit-based transitional police force in Gaza. Despite decades of war, destruction, and suffering, Gaza is home to… Advertisement if(typeof rgb_remove_toi_dfp_banner != "function" || !rgb_remove_toi_dfp_banner("#336x280_Middle_2")){ window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; tude.cmd.push(function() { if(navigator.userAgent.indexOf("rgbmedia-app") > -1){ tude.setDeviceType("mobile"); } tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { divId: '336x280_Middle_2', baseDivId: '336x280_Middle_2', } ]); }); } — اللجنة الوطنية لإدارة غزة (@NCAG) February 19, 2026

Public AnnouncementBuild #Gaza’s Future; Serve with Responsibility

The #NCAG is recruiting qualified candidates for a professional, accountable, transparent, and merit-based transitional police force in Gaza.

Despite decades of war, destruction, and suffering, Gaza is home to…

— اللجنة الوطنية لإدارة غزة (@NCAG) February 19, 2026

Mladenov said that thousands of people applied within hours, and NCAG Chief Commissioner Ali Shaath said in his remarks at the event that the goal was to deploy 5,000 police within 60 days. Those officers will be trained in Egypt and Jordan after being vetted by Israel.

“We will help Gaza. We will straighten it out. We’ll make it successful,” Trump said, holding up a document with pledges before the disco beats of his adopted theme song “YMCA” came on the speakers at the end of the event.

Trump rally: Board of Peace edition

The gathering contained many of the features of a Trump political rally, from the music to the red MAGA-style “USA” hats that were placed at the seats of the senior representatives from nearly 50 countries.

The US invited heads of state to join Trump at the Washington confab, but many opted to stay home, with Bahrain’s King Hamad Al Khalifa the only leader of a Middle Eastern to make the trip.

Ostensibly seeking to avoid criticism over the prominent Board of Peace roles given to Hamas-friendly countries Qatar and Turkey, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opted to send Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in his place.

Nonetheless, organizers placed Sa’ar right next to Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani for the group photo snapped at the beginning of the event.

The U.S. organizers of the Board of Peace leaders family photo positioned the Israeli foreign minister and the prime minister of Qatar next to each other pic.twitter.com/bhoU4onoR0 Advertisement if(typeof rgb_remove_toi_dfp_banner != "function" || !rgb_remove_toi_dfp_banner("#336x280_Middle_3")){ window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; tude.cmd.push(function() { if(navigator.userAgent.indexOf("rgbmedia-app") > -1){ tude.setDeviceType("mobile"); } tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { divId: '336x280_Middle_3', baseDivId: '336x280_Middle_3', } ]); }); } — Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) February 19, 2026

The U.S. organizers of the Board of Peace leaders family photo positioned the Israeli foreign minister and the prime minister of Qatar next to each other pic.twitter.com/bhoU4onoR0

— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) February 19, 2026

After the photo, Trump proceeded to give a campaign-like speech that repeatedly went off script and lasted over an hour as he basked in his perceived accomplishments in the Middle East and beyond.

Trump declared that the Board of Peace will be the “most consequential” panel of world leaders ever formed.

While 28 countries have joined the Board of Peace, the vast majority of European countries avoided doing so amid concerns that the US will try to use the body — which gives Trump ultimate powers for life — to usurp the United Nations.

Trump sought to alleviate those concerns by insisting that he would work with the UN, adding that he planned to speak with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres shortly.

Some European countries agreed to attend Thursday’s events as observers. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose country is the only European Union nation to be a full member of the Board of Peace, was also in attendance.

Trump said other countries are “playing cute” by not having joined yet, including some that he does not even want to be on the body — although he did invite them.

The US president stated that the war in Gaza is over, even if there are “little flames” that persist.

Israel has been carrying out near-daily strikes across the Strip, targeting what it says are terror operatives violating the ceasefire. The Hamas-run health ministry says over 570 Gazans have been killed since the beginning of the October ceasefire.

While Hamas has pledged not to do so, Trump claimed that the terror group is going to give up its weapons.

“The world is now waiting on Hamas… It’s the only thing that’s right now standing in the way,” Trump said, appearing to downplay what has always been the main obstacle in rebuilding Gaza.

Billions of dollars in relief

Turning to the financial contributions, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait all agreed to donate significant sums.

The UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait later confirmed donations of over $1 billion each, with those funds expected to go toward the initial humanitarian response.

Separately, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is raising $2 billion for the support of Gaza, Trump announced.

In addition, FIFA agreed to contribute $75 million that will go toward building dozens of soccer fields, academies and stadiums in Gaza.

While Trump also claimed that Japan and Norway would host subsequent Board of Peace events, Oslo quickly issued a denial, explaining that it will not be joining the Gaza oversight panel.

Instead, it will host a meeting this spring of the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee (AHCL) for Palestinian aid, as it regularly does.

Aid diversion plummets as supply increases

After Trump’s remarks, participants heard from over a dozen other US officials and individuals tied to the Board of Peace

US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz used the opportunity to tout the aid effort for Gaza since the October 2025 ceasefire.

He said over 70 countries are participating in the US-led Civil-Military Command Center in southern Israel that has been monitoring the ceasefire.

Waltz said 4,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza each week for 13 consecutive weeks — “the longest stretch of high volume assistance to Gaza in years.”

While assistance has indeed increased significantly, aid organizations have argued that Israeli restrictions on “dual-use items” have prevented much-needed shelter supplies from entering the Strip.

Still, the uptick in aid has led to a massive decrease in diversion, which Waltz said is down significantly. Israel claimed throughout the war that Hamas was behind widespread looting of assistance, while aid groups argued that the phenomenon was due to insufficient aid entering the Strip, insisting that the problem would subside once supplies increased.

Giving the NCAG tools to succeed

In his remarks, NCAG’s Shaath said his technocratic committee has been given a “clear mandate” to govern Gaza but still faces “extremely difficult conditions.”

The NCAG has yet to actually enter since being formed last month, with Mladenov saying last week that it cannot do so as long as violations of the ceasefire persist.

Shaath highlighted the massive destruction in Gaza, where over three-quarters of the buildings have been destroyed. While basic assistance is indeed surging, humanitarian needs remain acute and law and order remains fragile, he said.

He laid out the NCAAG’s top four priorities, restoring security, reviving economic activity, ensuring sustainable emergency relief and restoring basic services, including electricity, water, health, and education.

“Our mandate is simple, step by step to build the foundation for lasting peace, dignity and prosperity for the people of Gaza, and this is where we count on your continued leadership and support,” Shaath said, turning to Trump. “Blessed is the peacemaker.”

Mladenov said his Office of the High Representative will assist NCAG in “hopefully removing the roadblocks that they will be facing in taking over civilian and administrative control of the Gaza Strip.”

Mladenov said his office will coordinate with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority, showing a slide that confirms the creation of a coordination channel with the PA, as first reported by The Times of Israel on Wednesday.

“If I can ask one thing of all of us, it is to make sure that we have one message: there is no other option except the full demilitarization and decommissioning of all weapons in Gaza for reconstruction to begin and for people to have a new way of life going forward,” he said.

Ensuring a peaceful and prosperous Gaza. pic.twitter.com/o4YRgPNkK7 — The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 19, 2026

Ensuring a peaceful and prosperous Gaza. pic.twitter.com/o4YRgPNkK7

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 19, 2026

A subsequent speech came from US Central Command Special Operations Commander Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, who has been tasked with commanding the ISF.

Jeffers said his force would consist of 20,000 soldiers along with 12,000 police officers.

The ISF commander added that Indonesia has agreed to fill the position of deputy commander of the force after Jakarta committed to contribute the largest number of soldiers — 8,000.

“The ISF will do two things: stabilize the security environment in Gaza and enable civilian governance,” Jeffers said, adding that the US has already established a joint operation center that is going to be the headquarters of the international force

A slide presentation showed that the base will be located in southern Israel, apparently at the Civil-Military Coordination Center that has been operating in Kiryat Gat since the October ceasefire.

Rebuilding and reconnecting Gaza to the world

Board of Peace Gaza Executive Board member Yakir Gabay said the reconstruction of Gaza begins with clearing over 70 million tons of rubble and unexploded ordnance, along with hundreds of miles of tunnels.

“We have a detailed master plan for housing and infrastructure of modern schools and hospitals, manufacturing and agriculture, roads and trains, water and energy plants, logistic hubs, telecom, tech and data centers, sports and leisure facilities, seaport and airport and much more,” said Gabay, an Israeli-Cypriot real estate mogul.

“The funding is ready and will be invested in a free economy,” Gabay said. “The local population will build [its] own cities, which will create hundreds of thousands of jobs and revive the economy.”

“The Gaza coastline is 26 miles long. It can be developed as a new Mediterranean Riviera with 200 hotels and potential islands. The value goes to the Gazans through the Gaza sovereign fund,” he clarified. “This plan is all subject to a full disarmament of Hamas.”

Board of Peace Executive Board member Marc Rowan detailed the housing plan for Gaza, saying it will begin with the rebuilding of the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

In the first phase, 100,000 homes will be built for 500,000 residents there.

Over time, 400,000 more homes will be built in other parts of Gaza, Rowan said. “This is not a problem of money or collateral. This is a problem of peace.”

A subsequent video presentation put together by the Trump administration declared that the goal is to fully rebuild Rafah within three years, at which point Gaza will also be “connected to the world through an Abrahamic gateway, linking it with Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and extending to India and Europe.

“By year 10, Gaza will be self-governed, integrated into the region with thriving industries and housing for all,” the narrator of the video added.

Board of Peace Executive Board member Ajay Banga said the World Bank, which he heads, has also created a Gaza Reconstruction and Development Fund.

The World Bank will manage contributions to the Board of Peace transparently and ensure that the money is used to promote peace, Banga said.

Israeli technology entrepreneur Liran Tancman said Gaza will be “digitally” reconnected to the rest of the world.

Tancman, who has been working with senior US officials on Gaza over the past year, said that by July, Gaza’s 2G network will be “upgraded with free, high-speed access.”

He added that the NCAG is building a secure digital platform to allow for electronic payments, financial services, virtual learning and healthcare services.

“In parallel, we’re advancing an Amazon-like logistics system to help Palestinian launch businesses, import globally, and trade securely,” he continued. “This will lower prices, drive growth and help transform Gaza into an open, transparent, corruption-free economic zone.”

Muslim countries stress adherence to Trump plan’s pathway to Palestinian statehood

Over a dozen world leaders were subsequently given the opportunity to offer brief remarks, with each using the opportunity to heap further praise on Trump

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly expressed his country’s support for the Trump plan’s recognition of the Palestinian right to self-determination.

“Egypt also appreciates President Trump’s firm position on rejecting the annexation of the West Bank,” he said against the backdrop of Israel adopting a series of measures in recent weeks that critics say amount to de facto annexation and a violation of international law.

“Preserving the institutional and geographical link between the West Bank and Gaza is vital for the Palestinian Authority to eventually resume its role in Gaza,” the Egyptian prime minister added.

Qatar’s prime minister said his country’s donation of over $1 billion to the Board of Peace will be “aimed at reaching a final resolution that fulfills Palestinian aspiration for statehood and recognition and the Israeli aspiration for security and integration.”

UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed said that his country will contribute $1.2 billion to the Board of Peace, on top of the nearly $3 billion that it has already donated toward Gaza humanitarian aid since the beginning of the war.

Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita confirmed that Rabat will contribute police officers to the International Stabilization Force, help train Palestinian police, and build a military field hospital in Gaza.

“Morocco is ready to lead a de-radicalization program to fight hate speech and promote tolerance and coexistence,” Bourita added.

The Moroccan minister then stressed the importance of stability in the West Bank, where settler violence has reached record levels and settlement expansion is at a peak.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan lamented that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is still ongoing and that violations of the ceasefire persist.

On top of the humanitarian aid it has already been providing, Fidan said Turkey is prepared to provide troops to the International Stabilization Force — something that Israel has adamantly rejected.

“We remain convinced that the foundation of such peace is a two-state solution. Let us work towards that objective for the benefit of all peoples of the region,” Fidan said.

Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir reiterated his country’s support for a two-state solution under the terms laid out in the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.

He also announced a pledge of $1 billion over the next several years in order to advance the Board of Peace’s mission.

Sa’ar stresses importance of disarming Hamas

Sa’ar used his remarks to hail Trump as well as Netanyahu for securing the October ceasefire and hostage release deal.

He then thanked Israel’s soldiers, including the 925 who lost their lives fighting during the last two-plus years of conflict.

Sa’ar highlighted the atrocities committed by Hamas during its October 7, 2023, invasion of Israel that began the war.

“All previous plans for Gaza failed because they never addressed the core issues: terror, hate, incitement, and indoctrination,” Sa’ar said, touting Trump’s plan for breaking that trend.

He highlighted the 20-point proposal’s requirements for Hamas to disarm, for Gaza to be demilitarize and for its population to be “deradicalized.”

He stressed the disarmament of Hamas must cover “all weapons, terror infrastructure, underground tunnel network, and weapons production facilities.”

Sa’ar said Israel supports Trump’s plan and “will work toward its success.”

Resolution on financial integrity adopted

The two-and-a-half-hour event concluded with Trump signing a resolution establishing the principles of financial integrity and transparency to guide the Board of Peace’s work.

Members voted on the resolution before the meeting and it passed unanimously.

The foreign dignitaries then gathered around Trump for another photo as he signed the document before gaveling the meeting to a close.

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Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani

Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan

National Committee for the Administration of Gaza NCAG

International Stabilization Force ISF

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