Trump’s Board of Peace rallies ‘thousands’ of troops for Gaza deployment

16 Feb, 2026 03:50 / Updated 57 minutes ago
The US president has claimed that member states also committed $5 billion to the “humanitarian” initiative

US President Donald Trump has said members of his newly formed Board of Peace have pledged “thousands of personnel” and billions of dollars to a potential international stabilization force that will be tasked with administering Gaza.

In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said countries taking part in the initiative will formalize their commitments at a meeting on February 19 in Washington, describing the deployment as part of efforts to maintain “security and peace” in the Palestinian enclave.

“Member States have pledged more than $5 BILLION DOLLARS toward the Gaza Humanitarian and Reconstruction efforts, and have committed thousands of personnel to the International Stabilization Force and Local Police,” he wrote, adding that Hamas must uphold its commitment to full and immediate “demilitarization.”

Trump did not identify which nations have pledged troops or funding. However, Indonesia’s military said it has 8,000 personnel on standby, potentially making it the first country to formally commit forces if the government gives formal approval.

“Our troops are fully prepared and can be dispatched at short notice once the government gives formal approval,” Army spokesman Brigadier General Donny Pramono told AP on Sunday.

The ‘Board of Peace’ was formally established in mid-January as part of a Gaza peace roadmap, but Trump envisages the body as a quasi-alternative to the UN, with influence stretching “far beyond.”

Trump named himself chairman and invited dozens of foreign leaders to join what he described as “the most consequential international body in history.”

Israel has reportedly accepted an invitation, while several European nations – including France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and the UK – have declined. Russia has confirmed that it received an invitation and said it is studying the proposal. Permanent membership beyond the initial three years will reportedly require contributions of $1 billion.

The US-led body is intended to oversee reconstruction, security, and political transition in the enclave, but critics have questioned its mandate and the absence of Palestinian political representation. Hamas has said it is committed to the peace process but will only disarm if Israeli forces withdraw from the enclave.