U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that members of his new “Board of Peace” have promised $5 billion to help rebuild Gaza. He also said thousands of personnel will join an international force to help keep peace and security in the area.
Trump shared the news on social media. He said the money and support will be officially announced when the board meets in Washington on Thursday.
He wrote that the Board of Peace will become “the most important international body in history” and said he is proud to serve as its chairman.
First Meeting in Washington
The first meeting of the Board of Peace will be held at the United States Institute of Peace. The State Department recently said the building will remain the Donald J. Trump US Institute of Peace.
However, the building is also part of a legal dispute. Former employees filed a case after the administration took control of the institute last year and removed most of its staff.
It is not clear how many of the more than 20 board members will attend the meeting. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not expected to be there.
Indonesia May Send Troops
Trump did not say which countries promised money or troops. But Indonesia’s military said up to 8,000 of its soldiers could be ready by the end of June for possible deployment to Gaza for a humanitarian and peace mission.
This is the first clear commitment from any country so far.
The peace plan includes an international stabilisation force. Its job would be to keep security and make sure the armed group Hamas is disarmed. Israel has made this a key demand.
Rebuilding Gaza Will Cost Much More
Rebuilding Gaza will not be easy. The United Nations, World Bank, and European Union estimate that it could cost around $70 billion.
Large parts of Gaza were damaged after more than two years of fighting and Israeli airstrikes. Homes, hospitals, schools, and roads were destroyed.
The $5 billion pledge is a start, but it is much less than the total amount needed.
Ceasefire Still Unstable
The Oct. 10 ceasefire deal, helped by the United States, aimed to stop the long war between Israel and Hamas. While the main fighting has slowed down, there are still airstrikes and tensions in some areas.
The ceasefire agreement calls for an armed international force to keep peace. But so far, only a few countries have shown interest in joining.
Bigger Global Plans
At first, the Board of Peace was seen as a group focused only on Gaza. Now, it appears that Trump wants it to handle other global problems as well.
Some U.S. allies in Europe have decided not to join. Critics believe the board may be an attempt to reduce the role of the United Nations Security Council and change how global decisions are made.
There are still many unanswered questions:
- Which countries pledged the $5 billion?
- Will more money be promised later?
- How will the peace force operate?
- How long will rebuilding take?
The Board of Peace meeting on Thursday may give more answers. For now, the plan shows a new effort by the United States to play a major role in Gaza’s recovery, but major financial and political challenges remain ahead.
Laura Caplin was born and raised in the busy city of Oakville. As a journalist, Laura has contributed to many online publications including the Financial Post and Huff Post Canada. In regards to academics, Laura earned a degree in business from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and an master’s degree from Brook. Laura follows the money and covers all aspects of state and federal economy.here at White Pine Tribune.
