US President Donald Trump has promised $10 billion (€8.5bn) for his new 'Board of Peace', which will focus first on Gaza, despite heightened US tensions with Iran.
While US warplanes and aircraft carriers headed toward Iran on his orders, Mr Trump welcomed some two dozen allies from around the world to the former US Institute of Peace for the board's first meeting.
The meeting will include several of Mr Trump's authoritarian-leaning friends and virtually none of the European democrats that traditionally sign on to US initiatives.
The US president, who has sharply curtailed foreign aid, said that the United States would contribute $10 billion (€8.5bn) to the initiative, whose goals include rebuilding Gaza, which was reduced to rubble by two years of war between Hamas and Israel.
It also comes as the UN says Israeli actions have raised 'ethnic cleansing' fears in the West Bank.
"Together we can achieve the dream of bringing lasting harmony to a region tortured by centuries of war, suffering," said Mr Trump, who had previously spoken of building tourist resorts in Gaza.
He did not explain exactly where the money would go and his "Board of Peace" has drawn wide criticism for its opaque nature.
Mr Trump will wield veto power over the "Board of Peace" and can remain its head even after leaving office, while countries that want to stay on permanently rather than enjoy a two-year stint will need to pay $1 billion (€850m).
In a rambling speech in which he denounced domestic opponents, highlighted stock market gains and hailed his prowess in endorsing foreign leaders during elections, Mr Trump said he wanted to pursue more peace deals.
"It's all about an easy word to say, but a hard word to produce - peace," Mr Trump said.
The meeting comes two days after Mr Trump sent two envoys to speak with Iran's top diplomat as the United States pushes for major concessions from the cleric-run state on concerns starting with its nuclear program.
"We have to make a meaningful deal otherwise bad things happen," Mr Trump said.
He warned that Washington "may have to take it a step further" without any agreement, adding: "You're going to be finding out over the next probably ten days."
The Board of Peace came together after the Mr Trump administration, teaming up with Qatar and Egypt, negotiated a ceasefire in October to halt two years of devastating war in Gaza.
The United States said that the plan has now entered its second phase with a focus on disarming Hamas -- the Palestinian militant group whose unprecedented 7 October 2023 attack on Israel triggered the massive offensive.
Gaza's health ministry, which operates under Hamas authorities, says at least 601 people have been killed by Israeli forces since the truce began.
The meeting will also look at how to launch the International Stabilisation Force that will ensure security in Gaza.
A key player will be Indonesia, the largest Muslim-majority country, which has said it is ready to send up to 8,000 troops to Gaza if the force is confirmed.
Indonesia will take a deputy commander role in a nascent International Stabilisation Force in Gaza and Morocco will contribute troops, the unit's American chief said Thursday.
"I have offered and Indonesia has accepted the position of deputy commander for the ISF," Major General Jasper Jeffers announced at the meeting, which was attended by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
Israel was represented by its foreign minister, who was positioned at a group photo next to the prime minister of Qatar, which has faced intense criticism from Israel.
In one step towards a new Gaza, a technocratic committee was formed last month to handle day-to-day governance of Gaza headed by engineer and former official Ali Shaath.
Israel's Netanyahu says no reconstruction of Gaza before demilitarisation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu there would be no reconstruction of war-shattered Gaza before the disarmament of Hamas, as the Board of Peace convened for its inaugural meeting in Washington.
"We agreed with our ally the US there will be no reconstruction of Gaza before the demilitarisation of Gaza," Mr Netanyahu said during a televised speech at a military ceremony.
One of the most sensitive issues before the board is the future of the Islamist movement Hamas, which fought the war with Israel and still exerts influence in the territory.
US officials including Steve Witkoff, Mr Trump's friend and roving negotiator, have insisted that solid progress is being made and that Hamas is feeling pressure to give up weapons.
Israel has suggested sweeping restrictions including seizing small personal rifles from Hamas.
It remains unclear whether, or how, the Palestinian technocratic committee formed to handle day-to-day governance of Gaza will address the issue of demilitarisation.
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