18/02/2026
Peace, but at what price?" President Trump’s $5 billion plan to rebuild Gaza has world leaders lining up—but the notable absence of Europe’s biggest powers is raising questions about where that money is actually going.
Today, February 19, 2026, marks the inaugural meeting of President Trump's Board of Peace at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C. The summit is the first official gathering since the organization's charter was signed last month at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
​Here are the key details regarding the summit, the funding, and the diplomatic friction surrounding it:
​The $5 Billion "Drive" for Gaza
​While the White House is positioning the summit as a turning point for Middle East stability, the core focus is securing the initial phase of funding for Gaza’s reconstruction.
• ​The Pledge: President Trump announced that member states have pledged over $5 billion toward humanitarian efforts and rebuilding. The U.S. itself has reportedly committed more than $1 billion of that total.
• ​The "Pay-to-Play" Criticism: A major point of contention is the board's charter, which reportedly invites countries to donate at least $1 billion to secure a permanent seat on the board.
• ​The Mandate: Beyond money, the board is overseeing the creation of an International Stabilization Force (ISF). Indonesia has already made the first firm commitment, pledging up to 8,000 troops to maintain security and assist in the "demilitarization" of Gaza.
​European Resistance and "Murky Funding"
​The noticeable absence of major European allies (France, Germany, the UK) stems from several deep-seated concerns:
• ​Parallel Power: European leaders, including European Council President António Costa, have expressed "strong doubts" that the Board of Peace is intended to bypass or replace the United Nations.
• ​Transparency: Diplomats have described the funding and political mandate as "murky," questioning how the billions will be managed and whether the board’s reach will extend beyond Gaza to other global conflicts without international oversight.
• ​Attendance Splits: * Joining: Hungary (Viktor Orbán) and Bulgaria are among the few EU nations fully participating.
• ​Observers: Italy, Greece, and Cyprus have sent senior diplomats as "observers" but have not signed the charter, citing legal and diplomatic hurdles.
• ​Declined: France and Germany have remained firm in their refusal, preferring to work through existing UN frameworks.
​Key Participants
​The summit features a unique "coalition of the willing" that contrasts sharply with traditional Western alliances:
• ​Middle East Delegations: Heavy representation from Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt.
• ​Global Members: Delegations from Argentina (Javier Milei), Turkey, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan.
• ​Leadership Core: The board is chaired by Trump and includes an executive core featuring Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, and former British PM Tony Blair.
​"This is just the beginning of Phase 2. As the International Stabilization Force prepares to move in, we’ll be tracking every dollar and every troop deployment. Hit follow to stay updated on the Board of Peace's next move."
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