# Trump Gathers Members of Board of Peace for First Meeting, with Some U.S. Allies Wary
**US President Donald Trump** is convening the inaugural meeting of his **Board of Peace** today at the Donald J. Trump US Institute of Peace in Washington, aiming to chart Gaza’s post-war future amid ceasefire challenges and reconstruction pledges.[1] While delegations from over 45 nations, including Israel and Gulf states, are attending, key U.S. allies like France, Britain, Russia, and China—permanent UN Security Council members—are absent, signaling wariness about the initiative’s scope and legitimacy.[1][2]
## A Bold Vision for Gaza Reconstruction
Trump’s Board of Peace emerges from his 20-point Gaza plan, which secured a ceasefire last October after a two-year Israel-Hamas war.[1] The meeting focuses on critical issues: disarming Hamas, scaling up humanitarian aid, and funding reconstruction for the war-ravaged enclave.[1] Trump plans to announce that participating nations have committed $5 billion as an initial down payment on a multibillion-dollar reconstruction fund, with $1.2 billion each from UAE and Kuwait.[1]
Speakers include Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair (slated for a senior board role), US UN Ambassador Mike Waltz, and Gaza High Representative Nickolay Mladenov.[1] Trump has renamed the US Institute of Peace after himself, underscoring his personal stake in the effort.[1]
The agenda also covers an **International Stabilization Force (ISF)** to secure Gaza, train a Palestinian police force, and enforce demilitarization.[1][2] Recent pledges from Kosovo and Kazakhstan join earlier commitments from Indonesia, Morocco, Greece, and Albania, though deployment hinges on Hamas relinquishing weapons—a major sticking point.[1] Hamas fears Israeli reprisals, delaying progress despite mediator encouragement.[1]
## Hurdles to Peace: Disarmament, Aid, and Governance
Demilitarizing Hamas remains the linchpin for ISF deployment, potentially weeks or months away.[1] A board member highlighted formidable obstacles: Gaza’s police force is untrained and unready, security must precede other advances, and aid flows are “disastrous,” needing urgent expansion.[1] Distribution logistics are unclear, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.[1]
Negotiations with Hamas pose another challenge. The board might engage via influencers like Qatar and Turkey, but Israel distrusts both.[1] No Palestinian representatives sit on the board, fueling criticism that it sidelines legitimate voices.[1] Jared Kushner pitches ambitious developments—Gaza towers, tech hubs, industrial zones—but lacks firm funding, oversight, or governance details.[2]
Separate reports indicate JPMorgan is negotiating to provide banking services for the board, potentially streamlining fund management.[1]
## Wary Allies and Broader Implications
Absences from France, Britain, Russia, and China underscore allied skepticism.[1] European governments are largely staying away, viewing the board as undercutting the UN’s primacy in global diplomacy.[1][2] Trump has suggested expanding the board beyond Gaza, raising fears it could eclipse multilateral institutions.[1]
Regional voices echo doubts. While some Arab states back the plan, others demand Israeli withdrawal clarity before full endorsement.[2] TRT World reports highlight “cracks”: sidelined UN, absent Europeans, and questions over whether the board serves peace or “narrow political interests.”[2] Palestinians remain skeptical amid limited aid, no governing authority, and ongoing occupation.[2]
Israel attends, with its foreign minister expected, alongside a diverse roster from Albania to Vietnam, plus the EU.[1][2] Trump’s optimism persists: “It’s going to be a great plan… We’re going to be very successful in Gaza.”[2] Yet, Gaza sees little change on the ground, with optimism scarce.[2]
## Trump’s “New Order” in Global Diplomacy?
This gathering tests Trump’s vision for a “new order” in the Middle East, bypassing traditional frameworks.[1][2] Success could validate his deal-making approach, rebuilding Gaza as a model. Failure risks entrenching divisions, with Hamas armed, aid stalled, and allies divided.
The board’s diverse attendees—47 countries plus the EU—signal broad interest, but implementation gaps loom large.[1] As Trump presides, the world watches whether bold pledges translate to tangible peace or deepen rifts.
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Original source: NPR News – Trump gathers members of Board of Peace for first meeting, with some U.S. allies wary
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