Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
U.S. President Donald Trump is set to chair the first meeting of the newly formed “Peace Council” on Thursday, an initiative he called for amid mounting international debate over the future governance and reconstruction of Gaza.
The gathering, to be held in Washington at the recently renamed Donald J. Trump Institute for Peace, is expected to draw representatives from 47 countries as well as the European Union. According to senior U.S. officials, Trump will deliver keynote remarks and announce that participating states have pledged an initial $5 billion toward a Gaza reconstruction fund.
Officials describe the sum as a first installment toward what is expected to be a multibillion-dollar long-term rebuilding effort. Vast swaths of Gaza’s infrastructure were devastated during the two-year war that ended in a fragile ceasefire in October. Humanitarian agencies continue to warn of dire shortages in housing, medical supplies and basic services.
Yet even before the council convenes, unresolved questions threaten to overshadow its launch. Chief among them is the disarmament of Hamas, a core Israeli demand and a prerequisite, according to U.S. officials, for deploying a proposed multinational stabilization force.
Hamas has shown little willingness to relinquish its weapons, citing fears of renewed Israeli retaliation. The issue remains a central sticking point in the broader ceasefire framework that paved the way for the council’s formation. “We fully recognize the challenges related to disarmament,” a senior administration official said, “but we are encouraged by feedback from mediators.”
International Participation and Notable Absences
While the council includes Israel and a diverse group of nations ranging from Albania to Vietnam, it notably excludes Palestinian representatives, a decision that has drawn criticism from regional analysts and humanitarian organizations. The absence of key Palestinian voices has fueled concerns about the council’s legitimacy and long-term viability.
Equally striking is the non-participation of several permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, including France, the United Kingdom, Russia and China. Their absence has prompted speculation that the initiative could complicate established diplomatic frameworks or dilute the United Nations’ traditional role in conflict resolution.
Trump has also suggested that the Peace Council could eventually expand its mandate beyond Gaza to address other global security challenges. Critics warn that such ambitions risk creating a parallel diplomatic structure that may undermine multilateral institutions.
Security and Governance Challenges
Senior U.S. officials indicated that Trump is expected to announce that multiple countries plan to contribute thousands of troops to a future international force tasked with stabilizing Gaza and maintaining internal security. However, details regarding the force’s rules of engagement, command structure and timeline remain unclear.
A member of the Peace Council, speaking anonymously, acknowledged significant hurdles ahead. Establishing security, the official said, is a prerequisite for progress in reconstruction and governance. Yet local police forces are reportedly undertrained and ill-equipped to assume responsibility, and questions persist about who would negotiate directly with Hamas.
While council representatives could rely on intermediaries such as Qatar or Turkey both of which maintain channels with Hamas, Israel has historically expressed distrust toward those mediators.
Humanitarian Concerns
Beyond security, humanitarian access remains a pressing issue. One official described the current flow of aid into Gaza as “catastrophic” and in urgent need of expansion. Even if supplies increase substantially, uncertainty remains over who would oversee their distribution on the ground.
Aid agencies have repeatedly warned that without a coherent administrative framework and reliable security guarantees, relief efforts risk delays, diversion or further instability.
High-Profile Participation
The event is expected to feature remarks from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, senior U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz and Gaza’s designated high representative Nickolay Mladenov.
Blair is widely expected to play a prominent advisory role within the council, drawing on his experience in Middle East diplomacy.
A Test of Viability
As delegates assemble in Washington, the Peace Council faces a complex and politically fraught landscape. The reconstruction of Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, the establishment of credible governance and the coordination of humanitarian aid all represent formidable challenges.
Whether the council can transform pledged funds and diplomatic ambition into durable stability will likely determine its relevance in the months ahead and shape the broader trajectory of Gaza’s post-war future.
