Indonesia will take deputy commander role in International Stabilization Force in Gaza, Morocco will contribute troops
AFP
February 19, 2026
4 min read
US President Donald Trump (L) delivers remarks during the inaugural meeting of the “Board of Peace” at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, DC, on February 19. Photo: AFP
WASHINGTON:
United States President Donald Trump on Thursday promised $10 billion for a new “Board of Peace”, an amorphous new institution focused first on Gaza that is being launched just as he threatens Iran with war.
While US warplanes and aircraft carriers headed toward Iran on his orders, Trump welcomed some two dozen allies from around the world to the gleaming Washington building of the former US Institute of Peace, which has been gutted and renamed after the 79-year-old Republican.
Trump, who has sharply curtailed foreign aid, said that the US would contribute $10b to the initiative whose goals include rebuilding Gaza, which was reduced to rubble by two years of fighting between Hamas and Israel.
“Together we can achieve the dream of bringing lasting harmony to a region tortured by centuries of war, suffering,” said the realtor-turned-president, who has previously spoken improbably of building tourist resorts in Gaza.
Trump did not explain exactly where the money would go and his “Board of Peace” has drawn wide criticism for its opaque nature.
Trump will wield veto power over the “Board of Peace” and can remain its head even after leaving office, while countries that want to stay on permanently rather than enjoy a two-year stint will need to pay $1 billion.
In a rambling speech in which he denounced domestic opponents, highlighted stock market gains and hailed his prowess in endorsing foreign leaders during elections, Trump said he wanted to pursue more peace deals.
“It’s all about an easy word to say, but a hard word to produce — peace,” Trump said.
He also said that Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait had all contributed more than $7b towards the relief package for Gaza.
Gaza high representative says recruitment has begun for post-Hamas police
The new US-named high representative for Gaza announced that recruitment has opened for a new police force in Gaza meant to take over security from Hamas.
“Just in the first few hours, we have 2,000 people who have applied to join a new transitional Palestinian police force,” Nickolay Mladenov announced at the inaugural meeting.
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, will take a deputy commander role in a nascent International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza and Morocco will contribute troops, the unit’s American chief said.
“I have offered and Indonesia has accepted the position of deputy commander for the ISF,” Major General Jasper Jeffers announced.
Indonesia has said it is ready to send up to 8,000 troops to Gaza if the force is confirmed. The force aims to have 20,000 soldiers, as well as a new police force.
Jeffers confirmed that Morocco had also agreed to send troops, in the first commitment by an Arab country, as well as Albania, Kazakhstan and Kosovo.
‘Bad things happen’
The meeting comes two days after Trump sent two envoys to speak with Iran’s top diplomat as the US pushes for major concessions from the cleric-run state on concerns starting with its nuclear programme.
“We have to make a meaningful deal otherwise bad things happen,” Trump said.
He warned that Washington “may have to take it a step further” without any agreement, adding: “You’re going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days.”
The “Board of Peace” came together after the Trump administration, teaming up with Qatar and Egypt, negotiated a ceasefire in October to halt two years of devastating fighting in Gaza.
The US says that the plan has now entered its second phase with a focus on disarming Hamas, whose unprecedented October 7, 2023, attack on Israel triggered the massive offensive.
Gaza’s health ministry says at least 601 people have been killed by Israeli forces since the truce began.
The meeting will also look at how to launch the ISF that will ensure security in Gaza.
Israel was represented by its foreign minister, who was positioned at a group photo next to the prime minister of Qatar, which has faced intense criticism from Israel.
In one step towards a new Gaza, a technocratic committee was formed last month to handle day-to-day governance of Gaza headed by engineer and former official Ali Shaath.
‘Ambition and narcissism’
The inaugural meeting brought ideological allies of Trump, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is facing a tough reelection battle, and Argentina’s President Javier Millei.
Critics say that the “Board of Peace” remains vague, including how it would interact with existing institutions, including the United Nations.
“It’s a confused mix of ambition and narcissism, unleavened by any effort at intellectual coherence,” said Bruce Jones, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
