Gaza, 20 February 2026 (dpa/MIA) - Palestinian militant organization Hamas called for international pressure on Israel as US President Donald Trump convened the first meeting of his controversial Board of Peace on the future of the Gaza Strip on Thursday.

In a statement, the Islamist group urged the international community and countries participating in the newly-launched council to take "practical steps" to compel Israel to halt its military campaign, reopen border crossings, allow unhindered humanitarian aid into the territory and begin reconstruction immediately.

At the Washington meeting on Thursday, Trump pledged billions of dollars in assistance for the coastal area devastated by the war between Israel and Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, reiterated that reconstruction of Gaza could only begin once Hamas had been disarmed, saying this position had been agreed with the United States. Hamas has rejected calls to lay down its weapons.

"Hamas will very soon face a dilemma," Netanyahu said. "Lay down its weapons the easy way or the hard way."

Hamas said any political process or agreement to achieve stability in Gaza must be based on "addressing the root causes of the problem, namely the occupation, ending its aggressive policies, and enabling our Palestinian people to gain their full and complete rights."

Since the start of a ceasefire with Israel, Hamas has largely reasserted control over the territory it governs in Gaza.

Trump said Morocco, Albania, Kosovo, Kazakhstan and Indonesia were prepared to send thousands of troops to help secure lasting peace, though no country has yet agreed to take on the task of disarming Hamas as part of a proposed international stabilization force.

"I think they're going to give up their weapons," Trump said, warning Hamas would otherwise face severe consequences.

Germany and several other European states have declined to join the so-called Board of Peace, viewing it as a rival to the United Nations.

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