Trump’s Board of Peace Meets Amidst Iran Deadline and Gaza Reconstruction Plans

Washington D.C. – President Donald Trump convened the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace on Thursday, outlining plans for Gaza’s reconstruction while simultaneously issuing a 10-day ultimatum regarding potential military action against Iran. The meeting, held at the U.S. Institute of Peace, brought together representatives from nearly 60 countries, though several key European allies opted to participate remotely.

Gaza Reconstruction and the Board of Peace

The Board of Peace, presented as a follow-up to Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, aims to oversee an international stabilization force and coordinate rebuilding efforts in the Gaza Strip. President Trump announced a $10 billion commitment from the United States towards these efforts [Time]. Additional pledges totaling over $7 billion have been made by countries including Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait [Deseret News].

A key component of the reconstruction plan involves the establishment of a National Committee for the Administration in Gaza (NCAG), intended to serve as an independent transitional government, replacing Hamas. Ali Shaath, representing the NCAG, pledged the deployment of a 5,000-strong Palestinian police force within sixteen days [Deseret News]. This force will undergo training in Egypt and operate under the supervision of the NCAG. The ultimate goal is to build a 12,000-strong Palestinian police force, supported by a 20,000-member International Stabilization Force (ISF) [Deseret News].

Iran Deadline and Potential Military Action

Despite focusing on Gaza, the situation with Iran remained a central concern during the meeting. President Trump delivered a 10-day timeline for a decision on whether to continue diplomatic talks with Iranian officials or to authorize a military strike [ABC News]. He stated, “We may have to take it a step further, or we may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal,” adding that a resolution would be apparent “over the next probably 10 days” [ABC News].

When pressed by ABC News regarding the objectives of a potential military strike, Trump declined to elaborate, stating only that the outcome would be “unfortunate for them” if a deal isn’t reached [ABC News]. He reiterated the 10-15 day timeframe as a maximum for reaching a decision [ABC News], following weeks of consideration regarding further military action in response to Iran’s crackdown on protesters in January.

European Absence and Meeting Dynamics

The meeting was marked by the conspicuous absence of many European heads of state, with Trump noting that those not in attendance were “watching Zoom” [Time]. Concerns have been raised regarding the Board of Peace potentially sidelining the United Nations and the influence of countries contributing significant financial support [Time]. The meeting included attendees such as Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Palestinian representative Ali Shaath, seated in close proximity, symbolizing a potential, albeit fragile, dialogue.

During his remarks, Trump acknowledged the diverse viewpoints of those present, stating, “Many people in this room hate each other,” but expressed hope that the Board of Peace could “bring love back” [Deseret News].