Board of Peace mobilises funding
US President Donald Trump announced that countries participating in his “Board of Peace” have pledged more than $7 billion (£5.2 billion) towards a Gaza relief package. The announcement came during the organisation’s first meeting, which many Western allies have avoided, citing concerns the “Board of Peace” could sideline the United Nations.
Trump said the second phase of the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire plan includes Hamas disarmament and reconstruction of the territory. It looks like Hamas would disarm, he told attendees, though signs of the group actually relinquishing weapons remain scarce.
Israel insists on demilitarisation before reconstruction
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the “Board of Peace” that Israel will not allow reconstruction of Gaza before the territory is demilitarised. The current conflict, triggered by Hamas attacks on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, has killed about 1,200 Israelis and taken 251 hostages. Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have claimed over 72,000 lives, according to Hamas-run health authorities.
The UN estimates the war has caused $70 billion in damage, leaving Gaza’s infrastructure largely destroyed.
Countries back the relief effort
Trump announced that Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the UAE, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait contributed to the $7 billion relief package. The UN is providing $2 billion for humanitarian aid, and FIFA will fund $75 million for soccer-related initiatives in Gaza.
Building a new Palestinian police force
Nickolay Mladenov, appointed high representative for Gaza under the “Board of Peace”, said recruitment for a transitional Palestinian police force has begun, with 2,000 applicants in the first hours. The force will start from scratch, not drawing from existing Hamas-controlled police or West Bank security forces, and aims to become the primary security agency in Gaza alongside the International Stabilisation Force (ISF).
The US plan positions the ISF to work with Israel, Egypt, and the newly vetted Palestinian police to secure borders and disarm non-state armed groups, including Hamas. However, no progress has been reported on Hamas handing over its weapons, and the group appears to link disarmament to Israeli withdrawal.
Challenges ahead
Trump’s approach blends peace negotiations with investor-led reconstruction plans. Israel has expressed concern over the inclusion of Turkey and Qatar in decision-making roles, wary of their influence in Gaza’s future.
Mladenov warned that without rapid progress, Gaza will remain divided: one area under Israeli occupation, the other under Hamas control, isolated from the West Bank. This split would endanger prospects for a viable Palestinian state and compromise security for both Palestinians and Israelis.
Source: BBC
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