WASHINGTON, 20 Feb. - (ANA) - US President Donald Trump told the first meeting of his Board of Peace on Thursday that nations had contributed $7bn to a Gaza reconstruction fund that aims to rebuild the enclave once Hamas disarms, an objective that is far from becoming a reality.

 

The disarmament of Hamas militants and accompanying withdrawal of Israeli troops, the size of the reconstruction fund and the flow of humanitarian aid to the war-battered populace of Gaza are among the major questions likely to test the effectiveness of the board in the months ahead.

 

The meeting in Washington came amid a broader push by Trump to build a reputation as a peacemaker in hopes of winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

 

It also took place as the United States threatens war against Iran and has embarked on a massive military buildup in the region in case Tehran refuses to give up its nuclear program.

 

The Board’s founding membership does not include some key US Western allies concerned about the scope of the initiative.

 

In a flurry of announcements at the end of a long, meandering speech to representatives from 47 nations, Trump said the United States will contribute $10bn to the Board of Peace.

 

He did not say where the money would come from or whether he would seek it from the US Congress.

 

Trump said contributing nations had raised $7bn as an initial down payment for Gaza reconstruction.

 

Contributors included Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait, he said. The membership is mostly made up of Middle Eastern countries, plus leaders from outside the region who may be looking to gain favour with Trump.

 

- UNITED STATES: Pledges to make a contribution of $10bn to the border peace, said President Donald Trump

 

- UAE: Pledges $1.2bn to the Board of Peace, said Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan

 

- QATAR: Pledges $1bn to the Board of Peace, said Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani

 

- SAUDI ARABIA: Pledges $1bn to the Board of Peace over the next few years, said minister of state for foreign affairs Adel Al-Jubeir

 

- KUWAIT: Said in a statement that it would give $1bn to the Board of Peace

 

- BAHRAIN: Is ready to provide the necessary infrastructure and skills to establish an effective government digital services platform for Gaza, said King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

 

- INDONESIA: Is ready to contribute 8,000 or more troops to an international security force for Gaza, said President Prabowo Subianto

 

- KAZAKHSTAN: Is ready to contribute a significant amount of cash directly to the Board of Peace without delay, and is also prepared to supply wheat as part of a food assistance package, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

 

- UZBEKISTAN: Is ready to help rebuild schools, childcare facilities and hospitals in Gaza, said President Shavkat Mirziyoyev

 

- EGYPT: Will continue its effort to train Palestinian police personnel to maintain security within the strip, said Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly

 

- ROMANIA: Can help rebuild emergency services, schools and institutions like the police and justice system, said President Nicusor Dan

 

- TURKEY: Can contribute meaningfully to the rehabilitation of the health and education sectors, as well as the training of police, and is prepared to provide troops to the International Stabilisation Force, said Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

 

- MOROCCO: Is ready to deploy police officers and train police officers from Gaza and will deploy a military field hospital, said Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita

 

Estimates for rebuilding Gaza, which was reduced to rubble after two years of war, range up to $70 billion.

 

Trump proposed the board in September when he announced his plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza. He later made clear the board’s remit would expand beyond Gaza to tackle other conflicts worldwide, a point he reiterated on Wednesday by saying it would look into “hotspots” around the world.

 

 

 

 

Trump said FIFA will raise $75m for soccer-related projects in Gaza and that the United Nations will chip in $2bn for humanitarian assistance.

 

The Board of Peace includes Israel but not Palestinian representatives. Trump’s suggestion that the Board could eventually address challenges beyond Gaza has stirred anxiety that it could undermine the UN’s role as the main platform for global diplomacy and conflict resolution.

 

“We’re going to strengthen the United Nations,” Trump said, trying to assuage his critics, even though the United States is in arrears on making payments.

 

Trump said Norway would host a Board of Peace event, but Norway clarified it was not joining the board.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/20 February 2026 - - -