London: President Donald Trump on Thursday pledged $10 billion from the United States for postwar stabilisation and relief efforts in Gaza, as he launched the “Board of Peace,” a new international forum at the U.S. Institute of Peace.

“The United States is going to make a contribution of $10 billion to the Board of Peace,” Trump said at the inaugural session alongside Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and board member Jared Kushner, calling it “a very small number when you look at that compared to the cost of war.”

“What we’re doing is a very simple piece. It’s called the Board of Peace, and it’s all about an easy word to say, but a hard word to produce — peace, but we’re going to produce it,” he added.

Representatives from over 40 countries attended, including Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. India was represented by Namgya Khampa, Deputy Indian Ambassador to the US. Trump described the board as “the most prestigious board ever put together” and said it would work “to ensure a brighter future for the people of Gaza, the Middle East, and the entire world.”

Trump declared, “The war in Gaza is over. It’s over,” while warning that Hamas is expected to surrender its weapons. “Hamas has been — I think they’re going to give up their weapons, which is what they promised. If they don’t, it will be — you know, they’ll be harshly met, very harshly met,” he said.

He said the ceasefire that began in October had held and that all remaining hostages had been returned. “The ceasefire was held and every last remaining hostage, both living and dead, has been returned home,” Trump said. “They brought the last — last one home a week ago. And we got all 28 of them, living and dead.”

Trump also highlighted contributions from other countries, calling them an early start for the board’s efforts. “I’m pleased to announce that Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, UAE, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait have all contributed more than $7 billion toward the relief package,” he said.

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He added that the U.N. Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance “is raising $2 billion for the support of Gaza,” while FIFA would raise “a total of $75 million for projects in Gaza.”

Trump noted contributions of personnel to help maintain the ceasefire. “Albania, Kosovo, Kazakhstan have all committed troops and police to stabilize Gaza,” he said, adding that “Egypt and Jordan are likewise providing very, very substantial help, troops, training and support, for a very trustworthy Palestinian police force.”

The board follows the latest phase of the Gaza conflict, triggered by the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and left over 200 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed tens of thousands, according to Gaza health authorities, and worsened the humanitarian crisis.

IANS