Trump hosts first “Board of Peace” meeting on Gaza

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. President Donald Trump convened the first meeting of his newly formed “Board of Peace” on Thursday in Washington, D.C., bringing together international leaders to discuss the next phase of the fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The long-anticipated gathering centered on stabilizing the ceasefire and coordinating reconstruction efforts in Gaza. Saudi Arabia pledged $1 billion to support rebuilding through the initiative, while five countries — Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania — agreed to contribute troops to a proposed International Stabilization Force.

Among those attending were Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Argentine President Javier Milei, both considered close allies of Trump.

However, several key U.S. allies declined to formally join the initiative, including the United Kingdom, France, Norway, and Sweden. Some expressed concerns over the board’s framework, noting it does not explicitly reference Gaza and could potentially undermine the role of the United Nations in peacekeeping operations. Despite this, countries such as the United Kingdom, Norway, and Italy sent representatives to observe the meeting.

In a further setback, Pope Leo XIV declined Trump’s invitation, with the Vatican stating that the United Nations remains the primary body responsible for managing international crises.

Trump said participating members had collectively pledged $7 billion for Gaza’s reconstruction, adding that the United States would contribute an additional $10 billion. He described the amount as modest compared to the cost of war.

The U.S. president did not provide details on the sources of the funding, and the White House has yet to respond to questions regarding the financial commitments.

GAROWE ONLINE