Qatar weighs top donor role to reportedly increase its influence in Gaza

Qatar is considering paying the highest contribution toward Gaza’s reconstruction among all member states of U.S. President Donald Trump's “Board of Peace.” The move is reportedly aimed at increasing its influence, according to Kan News on Monday evening.

The Board of Peace will fund the technocratic committee slated to assume responsibility for the Strip at the outset of the reconstruction process. Each member state is expected to provide around $US1 billion, allocated to the broader initiative, including both reconstruction and the deployment of a peacekeeping force.

Qatar is already paying vast sums for the fuel entering Gaza via Egypt. Holding the view that the one who provides the funds dictates the policy, Qatar aims to position itself as the chief contributor.

Israel has identified that Hamas is refusing to relinquish control to the technocratic committee and has conveyed to Arab countries its interest in adopting a model of governance similar to that of Hezbollah in Lebanon, as reported Monday night.

This means that Hamas is conditioning its disarmament on remaining a political entity in the Gaza Strip, an arrangement that Israel opposes. Officials in Jerusalem have warned Washington against including Hamas in any future administration of Gaza.

U.S. President Trump recently commented on the Board of Peace meeting scheduled for this Thursday, writing on Truth Social that “The Board of Peace has unlimited potential". He also said that “On February 19th, 2026, I will again be joined by Board of Peace Members at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., where we will announce that Member States have pledged more than $5 BILLION DOLLARS toward the Gaza Humanitarian and Reconstruction efforts.”

He added that Hamas must uphold its commitment to demilitarization.