Trump Announces $7bn Gaza Relief Contributions from Board of Peace Members
Several countries affiliated with Donald Trump's Board of Peace have pledged more than $7bn (£5.2bn) towards a Gaza relief package, the US president announced.
Trump made the statement during the inaugural meeting of the organisation, which many of the US's Western allies have declined to join. These countries expressed concerns that the board, initially established to help end the conflict between Israel and Hamas, might be intended to supplant the United Nations.
Ceasefire Plan and Disarmament Efforts
The second phase of a US-brokered Gaza ceasefire plan involves the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza.
Trump told participants that it "looks like" Hamas would disarm. However, there are limited indications that the Palestinian group is moving toward disarmament. Residents of Gaza report that Hamas is extending its control over the Strip.
During the Board of Peace meeting on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel had "agreed with our ally the US there will be no reconstruction of Gaza before the demilitarisation of Gaza."
Background of the Conflict
The conflict was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken.
In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza, during which the territory's health ministry reports that over 72,000 people have been killed.
The economy of Gaza is devastated, with extensive destruction to buildings and infrastructure.
The United Nations estimates the damage costs at $70bn.
International Participation and Concerns
Countries such as the UK, Canada, France, and Germany have declined to join the Board of Peace, which was established last month.
To address concerns that the organisation might be intended to marginalize the UN, Trump stated at the board's first meeting in Washington,
"we're going to be working with the United Nations very closely, we're going to bring them back".
Trump further remarked that Gaza was "no longer a hotbed of radicalism and terror."
He announced,
"And to end that, we have today, and I'm pleased to announce that Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, UAE, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait have all contributed more than $7bn toward the relief package".
He added,
"Every dollar spent is an investment in stability,"
noting that the UN would contribute $2bn for humanitarian assistance, while the football organisation FIFA would raise $75m for soccer-related projects in Gaza.
Security and Governance Developments
Nickolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian politician appointed as high representative for Gaza under the board, reported that the recruitment process for a new transitional Palestinian police force had commenced, stating,
"just in the first few hours we have 2,000 people who have applied".
However, Gazans report that Hamas is expanding its control over security and government services within the Strip, including the reestablishment of its police and security agencies.
