Trump announces $5 billion pledges for Gaza reconstruction, conditional on disarmament of resistance

US President Donald Trump announced that member states of the 'Peace Council' have pledged over $5 billion, allocated to support humanitarian operations and reconstruction projects in the Gaza Strip. Trump clarified via his 'Truth Social' platform that these pledges come ahead of the Council's first meeting scheduled for February 19 in Washington, emphasizing that the new international body will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the region under his direct leadership.

In addition to financial support, the US President revealed the participating countries' commitment to sending thousands of personnel to form an international stabilization force in the Strip, aimed at ensuring security and implementing the provisions of the political plan. Trump stressed that Hamas is required to immediately fulfill its commitments regarding complete disarmament, considering it a fundamental condition for moving forward with redevelopment plans, at a time when reports indicate that Washington alone has pledged $1 billion to fund these projects.

Politically, informed sources confirmed that Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Sa'ar will participate in the Washington meeting, mandated by Benjamin Netanyahu, who will be absent from the opening session. These diplomatic moves come amid continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire, with medical sources reporting over two thousand martyrs and wounded since the start of the nominal truce last October, amidst destruction affecting about 90% of the infrastructure and homes in Gaza.

The 'Peace Council' plan faces major field challenges, as the Israeli occupation still directly controls over 60% of the Strip's area and is stationed behind what is known as the 'Yellow Line'. The occupation authorities also place obstacles in the way of displaced persons returning, stipulating a ban on the return of any Palestinian who left the Strip before October 7, 2023, in addition to the continued complete closure of the Rafah crossing to thousands of wounded who need treatment abroad.

In a related context, the 20-point plan announced last September indicates that the Council will assume full oversight of international funding management and establish the general framework for reconstruction. With more than 20 countries joining the Council so far, concerns arise about linking humanitarian aid to the imposition of a new security reality, which includes delivering combat equipment to local militias to enforce security, coinciding with actual annexation measures witnessed in the occupied West Bank.

The Peace Council will prove to be the most important international body in history, and I am proud to preside over this body that will manage the future of Gaza.