Trump’s inaugural “Peace Council” meeting has concluded – here’s what was decided and announced.
Billions in Aid Pledged for Gaza: U.S. President Donald Trump announced billions in aid for the devastated Gaza Strip during the first meeting of his controversial “Peace Council.” Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait have pledged seven billion U.S. Dollars for a relief package, Trump stated in Washington, D.C. However, significantly more money is needed for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip than has now been announced: the total need is estimated at 70 billion dollars. In addition to the seven billion dollars in aid from nine states, Trump as well referenced a further two billion dollars for support for the Gaza Strip being collected by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Troops for Peacekeeping: According to Trump, five states will send troops to the coastal strip. These include Morocco, Albania, Kosovo, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia. The “Peace Council” is to establish the so-called International Stabilization Force (ISF), which is to maintain order in the Gaza Strip. Several majority-Muslim countries had previously signaled their willingness to provide troops, but Indonesia has made a concrete announcement so far. The Southeast Asian country has indicated it is prepared to send between 5,000 and 8,000 soldiers. The number of soldiers the other countries intend to send has not yet been announced. ISF Major General Jasper Jeffers said in Washington that a total of 20,000 soldiers are to be deployed in the long term. According to Trump, the international force will secure the ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas and guarantee lasting peace.
Who is on the “Peace Council”?: The committee currently has about two dozen members, including Hungary, Israel, Belarus, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. Many European countries are rejecting participation, preferring to rely on the United Nations as a mechanism for resolving international conflicts. According to U.S. Government sources, representatives from 40 countries were expected at the first meeting of the committee, including countries that are not members. Switzerland is also participating in the first meeting of the Council as an observer, including Ralf Heckner, Swiss Ambassador to Washington. Attendees included Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Argentine President Javier Milei, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
