Washington : Former US president Donald Trump announced that nations participating in his newly formed Board of Peace have pledged more than $5 billion for humanitarian aid and rebuilding in Gaza, with the commitments set to be formally unveiled when the body holds its inaugural meeting in Washington later this week.
Trump, who chairs the centrepiece initiative of his peace strategy, revealed the pledges on social media, describing the Board of Peace as potentially one of the most influential international bodies in history. He said the contributions include not only financial aid but also commitments from member countries to supply thousands of personnel for an international stabilisation force and local policing roles in the Palestinian enclave.
The formal announcement of the pledges is expected at Thursday’s first official session of the board, to be held at the recently renamed Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington. Trump’s remarks did not specify which countries have pledged funds or exact amounts from individual members.
Indonesia has offered the first concrete personnel commitment, indicating up to 8,000 troops could be ready for deployment by June in a humanitarian and peacekeeping capacity. However, broader participation from traditional Western allies remains limited, with some nations wary of the board’s structure and purpose.
Reconstruction of Gaza is projected to be a massive task, with international bodies such as the United Nations, World Bank and European Union estimating that rebuilding efforts will cost roughly $70 billion, after more than two years of conflict that devastated much of the territory.
The Board of Peace was established in line with a U.N. Security Council resolution tied to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire aimed at ending hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Sporadic violence has continued even under the ceasefire, which took effect last year.
Also read : India-UK FTA Set To Begin In April, Tariffs On Whisky And Cars To Ease
-
-
-
-
