Trump’s Board of Peace Promises Billions for Gaza, With Few Details

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by Michael Crowley

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

President Trump’s Board of Peace held its inaugural meeting, where nine member countries pledged over $7 billion to aid Gaza’s rebuilding efforts. While details on how this funding will be utilized, particularly regarding Hamas disarmament or Israel’s potential withdrawal from Palestinian territories, remain scarce. The announcement came alongside an unusual move by Trump to publicly endorse Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban ahead of his April elections, despite concerns about diplomatic protocol. The meeting also saw contributions from wealthy Arab nations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, with the latter committing $1.2 billion. Other countries, including Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania, announced plans to deploy peacekeeping troops to Gaza, while Egypt and Jordan committed to training police forces there. These moves signal a broader regional collaboration aimed at stabilizing Gaza, though questions remain about how this funding will be managed and whether it will address underlying tensions between Israel and Hamas. The inclusion of Orban, a right-wing populist with struggling poll numbers, highlights Trump’s enduring influence in global politics. By endorsing Orban, Trump risks appearing to meddle in Hungary’s internal affairs, a delicate issue for US diplomats. Meanwhile, the Gaza funding initiative, though substantial, raises concerns about its potential impact on long-term peace efforts and regional stability. This event underscores Trump’s ongoing role in shaping international diplomacy, even after leaving office. His actions at the Board of Peace meeting reflect both his desire to maintain influence and the complexities of navigating global politics. For readers interested in US foreign policy and Middle East dynamics, this development offers insight into how Trump plans to leverage his platform to address critical issues while making waves in European politics.

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/19/2026