Trump announces billions of dollars in Gaza aid at Board of Peace meeting
Al Jazeera
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
US President Donald Trump announced a significant contribution to the Gaza reconstruction effort during his Board of Peace meeting in Washington, DC. Nine member nations have pledged $7 billion to a fund aimed at rebuilding the Palestinian territory, which has been devastated by over two years of conflict with Israel. While these funds are substantial, they represent only a fraction of the estimated $70 billion needed for full reconstruction. Trump also revealed that the US will contribute $10 billion to the Board of Peace, though he did not specify how this money would be allocated.
The meeting marked a turning point in Trump’s vision for the Board of Peace, which was initially proposed last September as part of his plan to end Israel’s war on Gaza. Since then, the board has expanded its scope to address broader global conflicts. Five countries—Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania—have agreed to deploy troops to an international stabilization force for Gaza under Trump’s 20-point plan. This force will be led by a US general with an Indonesian deputy, starting in Rafah, Israel, and ultimately aiming to train 12,000 police officers and deploy 20,000 troops.
Critics have raised concerns about the board’s composition, noting that while it includes Israeli representatives, Palestinian voices are notably absent. Al Jazeera correspondent Hani Mahmoud expressed skepticism about the board’s effectiveness, emphasizing the need for concrete solutions rather than unfulfilled pledges. Palestinians fear that the Board of Peace may fall into the same pattern as past international bodies, which have failed to deliver tangible results in addressing the longstanding Palestinian conflict.
Despite these criticisms, more than 40 countries and the European Union sent officials to participate in the meeting. While some major powers like Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK
Verticals
worldpolitics
Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/19/2026