Several countries pledged billions in aid for Gaza Thursday as the inaugural meeting of President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace announced a new international security force for the territory.
Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates made major contributions through the Board of Peace. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia each pledged $1 billion, Qatar committed $1 billion, and the UAE announced $1.2 billion in support. President Trump said the total pledges from participating countries reached $7 billion.
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Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama speaks, during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., U.S., Thursday. Credit: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama speaks, during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., U.S., Thursday. Credit: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Alongside financial support, the Board highlighted troop and police contributions to the International Stabilization Force, a newly formed multinational mission for Gaza. Army Major General Jasper Jeffers, the ISF commander, said five countries have committed troops: Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania. Egypt and Jordan will provide police training.
“The ISF will begin by deploying in southern Gaza’s Rafah, train police there, and expand sector by sector,” Jeffers said. The long-term plan envisions 20,000 ISF troops and 12,000 trained Palestinian police officers.
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Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, Kazakhstan’s President President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and other world leaders attend the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., U.S., Thursday. Credit: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, Kazakhstan’s President President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and other world leaders attend the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., U.S., Thursday. Credit: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Indonesia confirmed it will contribute more than 8,000 troops and will hold the deputy commander position of the ISF. Morocco said it will deploy officers and is ready to send police to Gaza. Kazakhstan announced it will support the force with military units, including medical teams. Turkey also confirmed it will contribute troops to the mission.
A senior Board of Peace official said 2,000 Palestinians have already applied to join the new transitional Palestinian police force, part of the broader stabilization effort.