Donald Trump’s Peace Council Urges Faster Gaza Funding Disbursement, Citing $7 Billion Deposited

Donald Trump convened a first meeting of his Peace Council in Washington, and France 24 reported that he said $7 billion has been deposited into a Gaza reconstruction fund.

“A body set up by United States President Donald Trump to oversee the administration and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip has said that it is short of the funds needed to move forward with those efforts”

Al Jazeera

France 24 also said Trump announced that the United States would contribute $10 billion to the Peace Council, while Atalayar described the framework as resting on two pillars: financing and foreign troops for Gaza.

Al Jazeera

Atalayar said the meeting would be held at the Institut de la paix des États-Unis and would include at least twenty delegations, including Morocco, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Indonesia.

Atalayar reported that Indonesia could provide up to 8 000 soldiers and that Egypt, because of its proximity and control of the Rafah border crossing, would be a key logistical actor.

Atalayar added that Netanyahu confirmed Israel’s adherence to the mechanism through Benjamin Netanyahu, while saying he did not plan to travel to Washington again this week.

Reuters coverage cited by multiple outlets said the Board of Peace reported a gap between funding pledges and disbursements for Gaza reconstruction, urging faster release of pledged money.

The Economic Times quoted a Board of Peace appeal that "Funds committed but not yet disbursed represent the difference between a framework that exists on paper and one that delivers on the ground for the people of Gaza."

Atalayar

Cyprus Inform said the board warned the gap must be closed urgently and that it could hinder a plan estimated to cost $70 billion, while also noting that the amount pledged remained $17 billion.

The Economic Times said the Board of Peace did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and it reported that the board urged U.N. member states and international organisations to fulfil pledges and contribute funding.

Cyprus Inform added that in a May 15 report to the United Nations Security Council viewed by Reuters, the board said "the gap between commitment (to the Board of Peace) and disbursement must be closed with urgency."

France 24 reported that Morocco pledged at the Peace Council to send police officers and soldiers to the Gaza Strip, with Nasser Bourita saying Morocco was ready to deploy police officers and train Gaza police.

“Songs, promises of billions and soldiers for the international stabilization force for the Gaza Strip: that is what should be remembered from the first meeting of the Peace Council, Thursday, February 19, chaired by Donald Trump in Washington, according to the Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam”

Courrier international

France 24 also said Indonesia would take on the role of deputy commander of the Gaza Stabilization Force, with American General Jasper Jeffers announcing that five countries had already committed to providing troops to this force.

France 24 quoted Nickolay Mladenov, the EU’s top representative for Gaza, announcing the start of recruitment for a new Palestinian police force and saying that within the first hours, 2,000 people applied to join.

Atalayar said Netanyahu indicated Israel would join the council because "la sécurité ne peut être déléguée à des structures inefficaces," and it reported that Hamas had qualified the initiative as a propagandist manoeuvre.

France 24 said Netanyahu stressed that there will be no reconstruction of Gaza without Hamas disarmament, while also reporting that Palestinians in Gaza fear their future will be decided without them at the Peace Council.