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WASHINGTON:
US President Donald Trump said at the first meeting of his Peace Board on Thursday that nations had contributed $7 billion to a Gaza reconstruction fund aimed at rebuilding the enclave once Hamas disarms, a goal that is far from becoming a reality.
The disarmament of Hamas and the resulting withdrawal of Israeli troops, the size of the reconstruction fund and the flow of humanitarian aid to the war-torn population of Gaza are among the main issues that are likely to test the junta’s effectiveness in the coming months.
In a series of announcements at the end of a long, winding speech to representatives of 47 nations, Trump said the United States would contribute $10 billion to the Peace Board.
He said contributing nations had raised $7 billion as a down payment for the reconstruction of Gaza. Contributing nations included Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait, he said.
Trump proposed the board in September when he announced his plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza. He later made clear that the junta’s mandate would expand beyond Gaza to address other conflicts around the world. Trump said FIFA will raise $75 million for soccer-related projects in Gaza and the United Nations will provide $2 billion for humanitarian assistance.
Trump said Norway would host a Peace Board event, but Norway clarified that it would not join the board.
The Peace Board includes Israel but not Palestinian representatives. Trump’s suggestion that the junta could eventually address challenges beyond Gaza has raised anxiety that it could undermine the UN’s role as a primary platform for global diplomacy and conflict resolution.
“We’re going to strengthen the United Nations,” Trump said, trying to calm his critics, even though the United States is behind on its payments.
The meeting came as Trump threatens war against Iran and has embarked on a massive military buildup in the region should Tehran refuse to abandon its nuclear program. Trump said he should know in 10 days whether a deal is possible.
“We have to reach a meaningful agreement,” he said. Trump said several nations are planning to send thousands of troops to participate in an International Stabilization Force that will help keep peace in Gaza when it is eventually deployed.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced that his country would contribute up to 8,000 troops to the force “to make this peace work.”
The force’s plan is to begin working in areas that Israel controls in the absence of Hamas disarmament. The force, headed by an American general with an Indonesian deputy, will begin in the Israeli-controlled city of Rafah and train a new police force, with the ultimate goal of training 12,000 police officers and having 20,000 soldiers.
