What is the story about?
President Donald Trump convened the first meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington on Thursday, where he announced that nine nations pledged a total
of $7 billion for a Gaza relief initiative. This financial commitment comes amid a fragile ceasefire in the region following extensive conflict. The participating countries include Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait. Trump emphasized the importance of these contributions as investments in regional stability.
Financial Commitments and U.S. Involvement
During the meeting, Trump revealed that the United States would contribute $10 billion to the Board of Peace, although specific allocations for this funding were not disclosed. He expressed gratitude to the donor nations, stating, “Every dollar spent is an investment in stability and the hope of new and harmonious region.”Despite the significant pledges, the amount raised falls short of the estimated $70 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, which has suffered extensive damage over the last two years of conflict.
Ambitious Goals of the Board of Peace
The Board of Peace was established as part of Trump’s broader peace plan aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict. The president indicated an expanded vision for the board, aspiring to not only secure lasting peace between Israel and Hamas but also to address global conflicts.However, this ambitious agenda raises concerns among some U.S. allies, who fear it may position the board as a competitor to the United Nations. Trump countered these criticisms by asserting that the board would enhance the U.N.'s viability, saying, “Someday I won’t be here. The United Nations will be. I think it is going to be much stronger, and the Board of Peace is going to almost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly.”
Skepticism Among U.S. Allies
While over 40 countries and the European Union attended the meeting, several key U.S. allies chose to participate only as observers. Countries like Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom have expressed reservations about joining the board, citing concerns over its structure and objectives.Trump remarked on this skepticism, suggesting that those who have not joined will eventually do so, stating, “Almost everybody’s accepted, and the ones that haven’t, will be. And some are playing a little cute -- it doesn’t work. You can’t play cute with me.”
Focus on Disarming Hamas
A central topic of discussion during the meeting involved the formation of an international stabilization force aimed at ensuring the disarmament of Hamas, a critical condition for a lasting ceasefire. Currently, Indonesia is the only nation to have firmly committed to this initiative.Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed his willingness to collaborate with other Islamic nations to pursue enduring peace in Palestine, acknowledging the challenges ahead while emphasizing the need for collective effort.
