Trump launches 'Peace Council' from Washington: $10 billion for Gaza and an ultimatum for Hamas and Iran

The US capital, Washington, witnessed the inaugural meeting of the 'Peace Council' chaired by US President Donald Trump, with the participation of representatives from nearly 50 countries. Trump placed the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip at the forefront of the Council's agenda, emphasizing his endeavor to transform this platform into a comprehensive international tool for addressing major conflicts around the world.

The US President announced the allocation of $10 billion as an initial American contribution to support reconstruction efforts, describing this amount as meager compared to the enormous scale of destruction in the Strip. Reports from the White House indicated the mobilization of additional international pledges totaling approximately $6.5 billion, all of which will be allocated to the Gaza Development Fund under the supervision of the World Bank.

This financial move comes at a very sensitive time, as Hamas still maintains control over parts of the Strip and has not shown full readiness to disarm. The US administration has issued an ultimatum to the movement, demanding that it relinquish its military arsenal within a period not exceeding 60 days, warning of severe consequences in case of refusal.

In the context of direct threats, Trump addressed the attendees, affirming his confidence in Hamas's commitment to previous promises of disarmament, but stressed that failure to implement would be met with an unprecedented military and political response. These statements coincide with explicit Israeli warnings of a return to the option of comprehensive war if the military capabilities of Palestinian factions are not dismantled.

For his part, Ali Shaath, head of the National Committee for Gaza Administration, warned of the complexities of implementing any reconstruction plans in light of the near-complete economic collapse and escalating humanitarian needs. Shaath explained that the field conditions are extremely difficult, as the war has destroyed about 90% of the Strip's infrastructure, making any international effort face enormous logistical and security challenges.

On the organizational front, the structure of the 'Peace Council' sparked widespread controversy, as Trump appointed himself permanent chairman of the Council, and offered permanent membership to countries that contribute at least $1 billion. This approach provoked the resentment of European countries that saw the Council as an attempt to marginalize the role of the United Nations and bypass the powers of traditional international organizations in crisis management.

The meeting was not limited to the Palestinian issue but also extended to include the Iranian file, where Trump gave Tehran a few days to reach a 'meaningful deal'. The US President threatened Iran with 'bad consequences' if it did not respond to US demands regarding its nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and support for armed groups in the region.

In contrast, the Islamic Republic adhered to its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, amid expectations of a written Iranian proposal to end the confrontation. The Trump administration seeks through these pressures to impose a new reality that ends Tehran's regional influence and ensures the final dismantling of its strategic military capabilities.

Informed sources revealed that only 26 countries signed the Council's charter during the meeting, while other countries preferred to wait and observe developments. Trump hinted at imposing indirect pressure on hesitant countries, expressing his conviction that everyone would eventually join this new leadership framework he is adopting.

10. The meeting witnessed a clear international division, as leaders such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif used the platform to praise Trump's vision. In contrast, major powers such as France, Britain, Russia, and China were absent from the scene, expressing their concerns about undermining the existing multilateral international order.

Field data indicate that the Israeli occupation has not implemented 80% of the provisions of the ceasefire agreement signed last October, which further complicates the Council's mission. The Council also lacks any official or symbolic Palestinian representation, although the Palestinian issue constitutes the main focus of its discussions and financial pledges.

Despite Trump's announcement of the end of the war, the reality on the ground indicates that more than 72,000 people have been killed and the Strip needs about $70 billion for reconstruction. Major questions arise about the 'Peace Council's' ability to translate these political ambitions into tangible results that end the suffering of millions of Palestinians in Gaza.

In a first practical step, the Council announced the opening of applications to form a new Palestinian national police force, with about 1,000 people applying in the first hours. This step comes in parallel with the commitment of five countries to send troops as part of the 'International Stabilization Force' to ensure security during the transitional phase approved by the UN Security Council.

I believe Hamas will give up its weapons, and that is what it promised. If it doesn't, it will face a very harsh response.