Trump Announces $7B Fundraising for Gaza at First Peace Board Meeting

• Trump’s Peace Committee excludes Palestinian delegates.
• PM Shehbaz and other global leaders attend Trump’s Peace Committee meeting.
• Trump praises PM Shehbaz and CDF Asim Munir at the opening session.

On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a total of $7 billion has been pledged to a Gaza reconstruction fund aimed at rebuilding the region.

During a lengthy speech, Trump revealed that the U.S. will contribute $10 billion to the Peace Board, with nations involved having initially raised $7 billion for Gaza’s rebuilding efforts.

PM Shehbaz Sharif participated in the first meeting of Trump’s Peace Board held in Washington, D.C., alongside other international leaders.

Trump initially proposed the board last September as part of his plan to bring an end to Israel’s conflict in Gaza. He has since indicated that the board’s scope will extend beyond Gaza to address conflicts worldwide.

Addressing the crowd, Trump stated that over $7 billion has already been contributed by various countries to help Gaza following the creation of his Peace Board.

“I’m happy to report that Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the UAE, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait have collectively pledged over $7 billion for relief efforts,” Trump said during the first session in Washington.

He assured that there will be no need for troops to participate in Gaza’s rebuilding.

Trump also mentioned that FIFA will raise $75 million for soccer development in Gaza, while the United Nations will add $2 billion for humanitarian aid.

PM Shehbaz described his attendance at the inaugural meeting as an honor and reiterated Pakistan’s support for a sustainable peace process in Gaza.

He called the efforts a “historic milestone” for Middle East peace initiatives, expressing hope that the initiative would foster long-term stability in the troubled region.

Shehbaz credited Trump’s timely involvement for preventing a large-scale conflict between Pakistan and India, noting that the ceasefire saved countless lives and avoided extensive destruction in South Asia.

The prime minister emphasized that establishing an independent Palestinian state is essential for lasting peace in the Middle East, reaffirming Pakistan’s backing for a fair resolution rooted in international law.

“Ending ceasefire breaches is critical to long-term peace in Gaza,” he added. He also offered prayers for the success of the Peace Board and hopes it will positively influence peace prospects in Gaza and beyond.

Trump praises PM Shehbaz and Gen. Munir

During the first session of the Peace Board in Washington, Trump also praised PM Shehbaz and the Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, calling him a “tough fighter.”

He expressed his personal affinity for PM Shehbaz, saying, “I like this Pakistani leader.” Trump recounted that during last year’s conflict between Pakistan and India, he knew both PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir and credited the ceasefire with saving millions of lives.

Trump reaffirmed his role in helping to de-escalate the Pakistan-India military confrontation, which had been triggered by a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, leading to retaliatory actions from both sides, including the downing of Indian fighter jets and several drones. The conflict was eventually halted with US-brokered ceasefire agreements after over 87 hours of hostilities.

He praised Gen. Munir’s professionalism, calling him a “tough and capable fighter.”

Trump also mentioned that he heard many planes were shot down amid the hostilities, estimating that a total of 11 expensive aircraft were lost during that exchange.

On Iran’s Nuclear Deal

The Peace Board includes Israel but excludes Palestinian representatives, which has prompted concerns that its broad initiative might bypass the UN’s traditional diplomatic channels. Trump stated that the goal is to strengthen the United Nations, emphasizing its importance.

Amidst rising tensions with Iran, Trump indicated that he expects to know within 10 days whether a nuclear agreement is feasible, stressing that any deal must be “meaningful.”

He added that disarming Hamas through force might be unnecessary, as the group has promised to disarm and appears to be moving toward that outcome—though verification remains to be seen.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem emphasized that any international peacekeeping force should monitor the ceasefire and prevent Israeli aggression, without expressly committing to disarmament.

Sources in Pakistan disclosed that Islamabad wants official guarantees from Washington before deploying troops to Gaza as part of the international peacekeeping force, ensuring it’s a purely peacekeeping effort and not aimed at disarming Hamas.

During his visit, PM Shehbaz sought clarification regarding the mission’s objectives, chain of command, and scope before agreeing to send personnel.

“We are prepared to send troops, but only as part of a peacekeeping mission in Gaza,” a close aide of Shehbaz stated. “Disarming Hamas is entirely out of the question.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Office reaffirmed its commitment to international efforts for peace and stability in Gaza, supporting the UN’s resolutions and advocating for a constructive role aligned with global diplomacy.

Trump launched the Peace Board at the World Economic Forum in Davos, with PM Shehbaz among the signatories supporting a lasting resolution for Gaza.

Peacekeeping and Reconstruction

Trump’s 20-point plan envisions a force comprised of Muslim nations to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and economic renewal, with Washington urging Islamabad to participate.

Experts believe Pakistan’s military experience in conflicts with India and internal insurgencies makes it well-suited for the mission, initially capable of deploying a few thousand troops.

During a recent visit, leaders discussed the possibility of Shehbaz meeting Trump either on the sidelines of this session or during a future visit to the White House to review the mission’s details.

Although originally aimed at cementing a ceasefire, Trump envisions the board playing a broader international role in conflict resolution, sparking some concerns about its potential overlap or rivalry with the United Nations. Pakistan supports the initiative but remains cautious about its stance on Hamas’s disarmament practices.