BoP meets

IN true Trumpian fashion, the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington on Thursday was high on spectacle, and low on substance. Perhaps the only positive outcome was the news that Pakistan will not be among the five states contributing troops to the International Stabilisation Force to be stationed in Gaza. Otherwise, there was vague talk of ‘peace’, as well as associated Israeli threats to torpedo the whole plan unless Gaza is demilitarised, which means Hamas giving up its weapons. Billions of dollars have been pledged for the occupied territory, but how many of these promises materialise remains up in the air, as Israel still controls access to the Strip.

Regarding the ISF, an American general will lead the force, while Indonesia has committed around 8,000 troops for the scheme. However, Jakarta has said the mission is “humanitarian”, and that its troops will not be involved in combat roles, precluding any confrontation with Hamas, which US President Donald Trump and Israel insist must be disarmed. Indonesia is aware that any potential confrontation with Palestinian resistance groups will not go down well domestically or in the larger Muslim world. Pakistan has taken the right decision by not committing forces. The BoP and ISF are experimental entities without a clear mandate, apart from establishing ‘peace’ in Gaza, while the possibility of confronting Palestinians and protecting Israeli interests should immediately serve as red flags. Moreover, as per The Guardian, the US intends to build a massive base in Gaza. What is the need for such a facility? Unless there is clarity, the base will represent American occupation of Palestinian land in support of Israel on the sly.

Though plenty of optimism was visible at the Washington meeting, the Palestinians are not so sure this exercise will lead to their liberation and an end to Israeli atrocities. After all, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that that there will be no reconstruction “before the demilitarisation of Gaza”. Unless proved otherwise, Tel Aviv will have an invisible veto at BoP, and all plans will be tailored to its satisfaction, with crumbs thrown at the Palestinians. Mr Trump told the meeting that “we will help Gaza”. So far no help has been visible as Israel has slaughtered around 600 Palestinians since last October’s ceasefire, while overall the toll of its genocidal violence has crossed 72,000 since October 2023; some studies suggest the toll may be higher. While Muslim states, including Pakistan and Indonesia, spoke for Palestinian rights at the meeting, there were no unambiguous promises from Mr Trump to stop Israel’s land grabs in the West Bank — moves that a recent UN report has said resemble ethnic cleansing. Hence, expecting the BoP to chart a roadmap towards Palestinian liberation is a fallacy.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2026

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