The president is focused on reconstruction in Gaza and promoting peace in the Middle East following several years of war between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas.
On Thursday, President Trump hosted the inaugural Board of Peace meeting and announced that nine members have pledged $7 billion toward a Gaza relief package.
He also announced that the U.S. is pledging $10 billion for the board.
The president also announced that five countries have agreed to deploy troops to the region as part of an international stabilization force in the enclave.
Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania made pledges to send troops to the region. Egypt and Jordan committed to train police.
Part of the plan is to initially deploy troops to Rafah, where President Trump is focusing the start of reconstruction efforts.
Trump said during the announcement that the countries that pledged funding towards reconstruction are Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait.
After two years of war, the Palestinian territory has been largely decimated. The pledged amount is the first step towards reconstruction.
“Every dollar spent is an investment in stability and the hope of a new and harmonious [region]. The Board of Peace is showing how a better future can be built right here in this room,” said President Trump.
The Board of Peace was founded as part of Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war in the Middle East.
Nearly 50 countries and the European Union sent officials to Thursday’s meeting held by President Trump. Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom have not joined the board, but attended the meeting as observers.
Moving forward, Trump will be focused on disarming Hamas as part of the delicate ceasefire plan that his administration secured between Israel and the terrorist group. This was a key demand of Israel during ceasefire negotiations.
President Trump said Hamas has promised to disarm and would be met “very harshly” if the group fails to do so.
At Thursday’s meeting, Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that there is a “long ways to go” in Gaza.
“There’s a lot of work that remains that will require the contribution of every nation state represented here today.”
