Israeli members of Trump’s Board of Peace vow Hamas will disarm 'one way or another'. The plan ties Gaza’s reconstruction and billions in pledged funding to full demilitarization, with a staged weapons handover, financial incentives and a proposed international stabilization force set to deploy at Rafah. Senior political and security figures in Israel are expressing skepticism over U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision for Gaza, even as details unveiled at the first meeting of a newly formed Board of Peace point to an ambitious international effort to link reconstruction to the full disarmament of Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. Some officials have described the initiative as naïve, particularly regarding the roles assigned by Trump to envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. But participants in the inaugural gathering said the plan reflects months of coordination among American, Israeli, Arab and European figures and could represent what they call a historic opportunity to reshape Gaza if security conditions are met. The Board of Peace includes U.S. officials such as Witkoff, Kushner and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as well as retired American generals and international figures including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Representatives from most Arab states are involved, alongside Palestinian representatives selected with the backing of regional governments, including Israel. Organizers said those Palestinian factions have no direct or indirect ties to Hamas. The Israeli contingent includes businessman Yakir Gabay, technology entrepreneur Liran Tancman and investor Michael Eisenberg, who serves as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s representative at a U.S. coordination headquarters in Kiryat Gat and is described by participants as a full partner in the board’s work. Gabay, described by colleagues as hawkish on security matters, said reconstruction funds would not be released unless Hamas fully disarms. Yakir Gabay, a key figure in the Israeli contingent, emphasized the importance of demilitarization, stating that 'Not a single dollar can be transferred and no valve can be opened unless Hamas lays down its weapons. That is nonnegotiable'. A central element of the plan is a proposal for Hamas to surrender its weapons in stages — first heavy weaponry, then tunnel infrastructure and finally small arms. Under the proposal, individual Hamas members who turn in weapons would receive financial compensation and amnesty. Board officials said they expect a decision from Hamas in March, with disarmament potentially beginning in April. An International Stabilization Force is expected to deploy initially at the Rafah crossing in May. U.S. officials said 20,000 troops have been pledged by five Muslim-majority countries: Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania, with the possibility of expanding the force if needed. In parallel, organizers are establishing a new Palestinian police force that would begin with 2,000 officers and eventually expand to 12,000. Officials said recruits are being trained in Jordan and Egypt and will not include individuals with a background in terrorism. The goal, they said, is 'one weapon and one authority'. A senior board official said the timeline envisions rebuilding Rafah within three years and completing Gaza’s broader reconstruction within a decade. Plans include a rail network, potentially a monorail or tram system, and linking Gaza as a logistics hub to the Gulf, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Israel, with trade routes extending to Europe. The official emphasized that progress depends entirely on Hamas’ response. 'It is very binary,' he said. 'On the positive track, everything moves forward. On the negative track, nothing happens'. The Palestinian Authority would not play a direct role in Gaza’s reconstruction but remains a relevant entity that could potentially integrate in the future if it meets governance benchmarks.
