US President Donald Trump on Sunday urged Hamas to move forward with disarmament under his plan for post-war Gaza, and said members of his so-called "Board of Peace" had pledged US$5 billion to the Palestinian territory's reconstruction.

"Very importantly, Hamas must uphold its commitment to Full and Immediate Demilitarisation," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform, ahead of a February 19 meeting of the board in Washington.

Disarmament is a key part in the second phase of the US-brokered ceasefire plan sealed in October between Israel and the Palestinian militant group, to end the war triggered by Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023.

The United Nations endorsed the plan in November.

The second phase stipulates that Israeli forces gradually withdraw from Gaza and Hamas should disarm, with an international stabilisation force deployed to ensure security.

Hamas has repeatedly said that disarmament is a red line, although it has indicated it could consider handing over its weapons to a future Palestinian governing authority.

Both sides accuse each other daily of ceasefire violations.

Although originally intended to oversee Gaza's rebuilding, the charter for the "Board of Peace" does not seem to limit its role to the Palestinian territory.

"The Board of Peace has unlimited potential," Trump said on Sunday in his post.

After an initial meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos last month, the board is due to meet on Thursday in the US capital.

Countries have been asked to pay US$1 billion for permanent membership of the board.

Key US allies including France and Britain have expressed doubts about its scope and purpose.

Trump said the US$5 billion in pledges by member states would be formally announced then, and that members also "have committed thousands of personnel to the International Stabilisation Force and Local Police to maintain Security and Peace for Gazans."

Trump has said the organisation will work "in conjunction" with the United Nations.

"The Board of Peace will prove to be the most consequential International Body in History," he said.

Under the ceasefire plan, a Palestinian technocratic committee has also been set up with a goal of taking over governance in the battered Gaza Strip. (AFP)



Edited by Cecil Wong