US President Donald Trump told the first meeting of his Board of Peace on Thursday that nations had contributed US$7 billion 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. 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, winding speech to representatives from 47 nations, Trump said the United States will contribute US$10 billion 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 US$7 billion 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.

Estimates for rebuilding Gaza, which was reduced to rubble after two years of war, range up to US$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 US$75 million for soccer-related projects in Gaza and that the United Nations will chip in US$2 billion for humanitarian assistance.

The Board of Peace includes Israeli 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.

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

Even as he talked up himself as a man of peace, Trump rattled sabres against Iran.

Trump said he should know in 10 days whether a deal is possible to end a standoff with ⁠Tehran.

"We have to have a meaningful deal," he said.

Trump said several nations are planning to send thousands of troops to participate in an International Stabilisation Force that will help keep the peace in Gaza when it eventually deploys.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced his country would contribute up to 8,000 troops to the force.

The plan for the force is to begin working in areas Israel controls in the absence of Hamas disarmament.

The force, led by a US general with an Indonesian deputy, will start in Israeli-controlled Rafah, an area that Israeli forces depopulated and demolished during the war. The aim is to train 12,000 police and have 20,000 troops. (Reuters)
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Last updated: 2026-02-20 HKT 08:43



Edited by Cecil Wong