$5 Billion Investment Planned for Gaza Reconstruction at Peace Council Meeting

Washington D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump is set to announce today, February 19, 2026, that members of his newly formed Board of Peace have collectively pledged over $5 billion towards the reconstruction of Gaza and the establishment of an international stabilization force. The announcement will be made at the Board’s inaugural meeting, held at the Donald J. Trump US Institute of Peace in Washington.

The pledges, representing a significant commitment to the war-ravaged territory, come after more than two years of intense Israeli bombardment, leaving few areas of Gaza unscathed. The United Nations, World Bank, and European Union estimate the total cost of reconstruction to be around $70 billion (nearly €60 billion).

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, more than 20 countries will participate in today’s meeting, with member states also committing “thousands of personnel” to an international stabilization force for Gaza. Leavitt described the Board of Peace as a “legitimate organization” comprised of “tens of member countries from around the world.”

While details regarding specific national contributions remain undisclosed, Indonesia has already signaled a firm commitment, with its military stating that up to 8,000 troops could be deployed to Gaza by the end of June as part of a humanitarian and peace mission. This represents the first concrete personnel commitment received by President Trump.

The structure for allocating the $5 billion in pledged funds will be determined by the Board of Peace itself, with President Trump chairing the initial proceedings. However, Leavitt emphasized that all member states will have a voice in the funding decisions, alongside a “technocratic layer” of experts who will contribute to the process.

The focus, officials say, will initially be on establishing security within Gaza, with the deployment of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) considered a crucial first step. The long-term goal, as outlined by the White House, is a comprehensive rebuilding and reconstruction effort for the territory, which has endured prolonged periods of violence and instability.

The creation of the Board of Peace was endorsed by a United Nations Security Council resolution as part of President Trump’s broader Gaza plan. The initiative has, however, faced some resistance. The Vatican has announced it will not participate, a decision described by Leavitt as “deeply unfortunate.”

The composition of the Board of Peace includes regional powers such as Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, as well as emerging nations like Indonesia. However, traditional Western allies and global powers have adopted a more cautious approach to the initiative.

The scale of the reconstruction task is immense. The UN, World Bank, and EU assessment of $70 billion reflects the widespread devastation inflicted on Gaza’s infrastructure, housing, and essential services. Beyond the physical rebuilding, addressing the underlying political and economic challenges will be critical to achieving lasting stability.

The announcement of the $5 billion pledge represents a significant, though still partial, step towards meeting the enormous financial needs of Gaza. The success of the Board of Peace will depend on its ability to translate these pledges into tangible progress on the ground, fostering a secure and sustainable future for the territory’s population.

The meeting comes after a ceasefire agreement on October 10 brought an end to the heaviest fighting. The international community now faces the complex challenge of supporting Gaza’s recovery while addressing the root causes of the conflict and preventing a resurgence of violence.

The White House has indicated that President Trump will briefly depart Washington following the initial portion of the meeting to travel to Georgia, underscoring the administration’s multifaceted foreign policy agenda.