Trump says $7 billion raised for Gaza at first Board of Peace meeting

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that $7 billion has been raised for Gaza’s reconstruction at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, a forum he launched to help rebuild the war-torn enclave and support efforts to end the conflict.

Addressing representatives from 47 countries in Washington, Trump also announced that the United States would contribute $10 billion to the Board of Peace.

The president said contributing nations include Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait.

The Board of Peace includes Israel but does not include Palestinian representatives — a move that has drawn criticism and raised concerns about its long-term effectiveness.

Reconstruction tied to Hamas disarmament

Trump said the reconstruction effort depends on the disarmament of Hamas, calling it a necessary step for long-term stability in Gaza.

“Hamas has promised to disarm. It looks like they’re going to be doing that, but we’ll have to find out,” he said, adding that he hopes force will not be required.

However, disarming Hamas remains one of the most difficult aspects of the broader Gaza plan. The Palestinian group has been reluctant to surrender its weapons, citing security concerns and the risk of Israeli reprisals.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas would be disarmed “one way or the other.”

In Gaza, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said any international force must ensure the ceasefire holds and prevent what he described as Israeli aggression. He said disarmament could be discussed but stopped short of committing to it.

International Stabilization Force planned

Trump announced plans for an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to maintain peace once deployed.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said his country would send up to 8,000 troops to support the force.

According to officials, the force will be led by a US general with an Indonesian deputy and will initially deploy in Rafah, an area currently under Israeli control.

The plan includes training a new Palestinian police force, with a target of preparing 12,000 police officers and deploying up to 20,000 troops.

Nickolay Mladenov, a senior official involved in the initiative, said 2,000 Palestinians have already applied to join a transitional police force.

Additional pledges and developments

Trump said FIFA would raise $75 million for football-related projects in Gaza, while the United Nations would provide $2 billion in humanitarian assistance.

He also announced that Norway would host a Board of Peace event, though Norway later clarified that it is not formally joining the board.

Hamas has indicated it is willing to hand over administrative control to a US-backed committee of Palestinian technocrats led by Ali Shaath, but said Israel has not permitted the group to enter Gaza. Israel has not commented on the claim.

Iran warning

During the address, Trump also warned that any potential deal with Iran must be “meaningful,” saying he expects clarity within 10 days on whether an agreement is possible.

The meeting comes amid heightened regional tensions and a significant US military buildup in the Middle East.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the urgency of the initiative, saying: “There is no plan B for Gaza. Plan B is going back to war. No one here wants that.”

Trump first proposed the Board of Peace in September as part of his 20-point Gaza plan, which helped secure a fragile ceasefire last October. He has since suggested the forum could eventually expand to address other global conflicts.