Donald Trump wasted no time christening his shiny new “Board of Peace” Thursday in Washington, wrangling nine nations into ponying up $7 billion as a starter fund for Gaza’s rebuild. It’s a flashy opener to what he bills as a game-changer for the ravaged strip.
Heavy hitters led the charge: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait each dropped $1 billion commitments, with the UAE edging them out at $1.2 billion. Rounding out the list: Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Bahrain, and Uzbekistan—unlikely bedfellows stepping up.
Trump sweetened the pot, pledging a US $10 billion slice, calling it “peanuts” next to war’s tab. No word on where the cash flows from or if Congress gets a vote—classic Trump improv.
Reality check: Gaza’s fix-up could devour $70 billion, per estimates. FIFA’s Gianni Infantino chipped in $75 million for soccer fields and such, while the UN eyes $2 billion in aid. Still, it’s a drop in the rubble bucket.
Security stole the spotlight. Five countries—Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Albania—vowed boots for a fresh International Stabilization Force (ISF). Egypt and Jordan promised to whip up a 5,000-strong Palestinian cop squad.
A US general helms the ISF, Indonesian second-in-command, launching from Rafah under Israeli watch. Vision: 20,000 troops plus 12,000 police to lock down peace as cranes roll in.
Trump laid down the law: Hamas disarms completely, or else—”very harshly,” he growled. No wiggle room.
The Board’s setup irks some Western partners like the UK and Germany, who sat as observers. They fret it sidelines the UN; Trump spins it as a booster shot, supervising UN efforts.
Hosted at the freshly dubbed Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace—his personal stamp—he teased expanding to global flashpoints.
Governance gets a makeover too: a Palestinian technocrat crew, headed by Ali Shaath, to reboot water, power, basics—backed by the security swarm.
Trump turned up the heat on Iran, handing them 10 days for a “real” nuclear deal, tying Gaza’s fate to a wider anti-extremist, anti-nuke pact.
Doubts linger on Israeli pullouts and aid pipelines. Secretary Rubio played straight: “No illusions—this demilitarization grind is brutal.”
This Board signals Trump’s foreign policy remix: deals-first, coalition-heavy. Pledges are one thing; turning dollars and rifles into lasting calm? That’s the real test ahead.
