US President Trump Announces $7b Raised for Gaza at First Board of Peace Meeting

Trump say not necessary to send soldiers to fight

Hails PM Shehbaz, CDF Asim Munir at inaugural meeting

Revises Pakistan-India War Jet Toll to 11

WASHINGTON: The United States President Donald Trump told the first meeting of his Board of Peace on Thursday that $7 billion has been contributed to a Gaza reconstruction fund that aims to rebuild the enclave.

In a flurry of announcements at the end of a long, winding speech, Trump said the US will make a contribution of $10 billion to the Board of Peace. He said contributing nations had raised $7 billion as an initial down payment for Gaza reconstruction.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is among the world leaders attending the inaugural meeting of the BoP led by Trump in Washington. Trump first proposed the board last September when he announced his plan to end Israel's war in Gaza. He later made clear the board's remit would be expanded beyond Gaza to tackle other conflicts worldwide.

Addressing the meeting, Trump said countries had contributed more than $7 billion toward relief in Gaza as part of his Board of Peace effort. "I'm pleased to announce that Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, UAE, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait have all contributed more than $7 billion toward the relief package," Trump said at the board's inaugural meeting in Washington. He said that it will not be necessary to send soldiers to fight in Gaza.

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

Trump hails PM Shehbaz, CDF Munir

US President Trump hailed PM Shehbaz and “tough serious fighter” Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington.

Speaking at the initial meeting, Trump said: “I like this man [PM Shehbaz] of Pakistan.” Referring to last year's May conflict between Pakistan and India, Trump said: “There was some fighting going on when I got to know him and your great Field Marshal [Asim Munir], a great guy.”

The US president recalled the premier’s previous remarks, saying Prime Shehbaz had credited him with saving 25 million lives by halting the Pakistan–India war.

US President Revises Pak-India War Jet Toll to 11

The US president said that he heard that Pakistan and India were fighting and the situation is worsening, adding that many planes were shut down.

Revising the tally of downed jets during the Pakistan-India war, the US president said that “11 very expensive” planes were shot down in the fight.

BoP Includes Israel, Excludes Palestine

The Board of Peace includes Israel but not Palestinian representatives and 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. "It's really very important." The meeting came as Trump threatens war against Iran and has embarked on a massive military buildup in the region in case Tehran refuses to give up its nuclear programme.

Trump said he should know in 10 days whether a deal is possible. "We have to have a meaningful deal," he said.

Trump said he hoped use of force to disarm Hamas would not be necessary. He said Hamas had promised to disarm, and it "looks like they're going to be doing that, but we'll have to find out."

In Gaza, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said any international force must "monitor the ceasefire and prevent the Israeli occupation from continuing its aggression". Disarmament could be discussed, he said, without directly committing to it.

Last month, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that Pakistan would continue to engage with international efforts aimed at peace and security in Gaza.

“Pakistan will remain engaged with international efforts for peace and security in Gaza, leading to a lasting solution to the Palestine issue in accordance with United Nations resolutions,” he said.

Force to oversee reconstruction and recovery

Trump's 20-point Gaza plan calls for a force from Muslim nations to oversee a transition period for reconstruction and economic recovery in the devastated Palestinian territory, and Washington has been pressing Islamabad to join.

While Pakistan has supported the establishment of the board, it has voiced concerns against the mission to demilitarise Hamas.