United States President Donald Trump has declared the war in Gaza over, unveiling a multibillion-dollar reconstruction and security initiative aimed at stabilising the devastated territory and ushering in what he described as a “new chapter” for the region.
Speaking in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Trump framed the announcement not as a temporary ceasefire but as a definitive end to hostilities that have reshaped the Middle East since October 2023.
He introduced a new Board of Peace, which he said would transform the cessation of fighting into lasting stability.
“This is about making the peace stick,” Trump said, positioning the initiative as the mechanism for long-term recovery and security.
Trump paired the declaration with a sweeping reconstruction pledge, committing $10 billion in U.S. funding and claiming more than $7 billion in additional contributions from regional partners.
Ajay Banga confirmed that the World Bank will act as a limited trustee to manage donor funds, while Marc Rowan of Apollo Global Management outlined plans to construct 100,000 homes and invest heavily in infrastructure.
An International Stabilisation Force (ISF) expected to include troops from Indonesia, Morocco, Kosovo and other nations would help secure Gaza during the transition from conflict to reconstruction.
Israeli Support, Political Questions Remain
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has endorsed the reconstruction framework.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar described the plan as the first to address the “root causes” of the conflict, including the disarmament of militant groups and Gaza’s demilitarisation.
However, no comprehensive political settlement between Israel and Palestinian factions has been publicly announced.
Qatar’s prime minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, was the only senior leader at the summit to explicitly reference Palestinian aspirations for statehood.
Despite the declaration, analysts warn that the absence of a formal disarmament agreement involving Hamas and firm guarantees against renewed military escalation could threaten stability.
A Palestinian technocratic committee is expected to oversee daily governance in Gaza, but no Palestinian political leadership currently sits on the Board of Peace.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the board as a new model for resolving complex conflicts, arguing that traditional international institutions have failed to end the crisis.
While Trump’s declaration may reshape diplomatic narratives, observers caution that declarations alone do not eliminate underlying tensions.
If ceasefire violations resume or disarmament talks stall, the claim that the war is over could prove premature.
However, if security stabilises and reconstruction gains momentum, the initiative could mark a turning point in one of the region’s most destructive conflicts.
