Amidst a backdrop of international scrutiny, Donald Trump unveiled his controversial ad-hoc Board of Peace, proposing a multinational force in postwar Gaza. The US, alongside Albania, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Morocco, aims to command a peacekeeping mission, demanding the disarmament of Hamas and Israeli support. This initiative, however, faces skepticism due to the board's composition, which includes autocrats and right-wing allies, raising questions about its ability to achieve the vision of a peaceful, rebuilt Gaza.
At the inaugural summit, the board proposed a massive peacekeeping and reconstruction mission, with Kazakhstan's president suggesting a Trump peace prize. FIFA's head, Gianni Infantino, symbolically wore a red USA cap, signifying a partnership with the $1 billion committee. Trump pledged $10 billion for Gaza's reconstruction, aiming to bring harmony to a war-torn region. Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE collectively contributed $7 billion, while the UN and FIFA offered $2 billion and $75 million, respectively.
The plan involves deploying 20,000 soldiers across five sectors of Gaza, starting with Rafah, with a long-term goal of 12,000 police. Indonesia's president, Prabowo Subianto, expressed readiness to commit up to 8,000 troops. The board's contracting records indicate plans for a 5,000-person military base in Gaza, sparking concerns among aid workers about the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza's lack of direction and an empty ISF office.
The board's controversial nature is further highlighted by its criticism as a shadow UN, with major European allies declining to join. The Vatican's non-participation adds to the scrutiny. Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, absent from the summit, emphasized security concerns, citing the disarmament of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, and deradicalization of Palestinian society as key components of the plan.
Trump's opening remarks were filled with hyperbole, claiming success in ending eight wars. He also endorsed Hungary's Viktor Orbán and joked about renaming a venue in honor of his secretary of state, Marco Rubio. The timing of the board's meeting coincides with the US's military buildup in the Middle East, including aircraft carriers and warplanes, raising concerns about potential attacks on Iran.
As the world watches, the Board of Peace's impact on Gaza's future remains uncertain, with the lack of a political solution and the board's controversial nature casting a shadow over its potential success.
