Board of Peace members pledge $7 billion for Gaza rebuilding

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting that nine members have agreed to pledge $7 billion toward a Gaza relief package and five countries have agreed to deploy troops as part of an international stabilization force for the war-battered Palestinian territory.

Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania have pledged to send troops for a Gaza stabilisation force, while Egypt and Jordan have committed to train police.

Troops will initially be deployed to Rafah, a major population center where the US administration hopes to first focus reconstruction efforts.

The countries making pledges are Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait, Trump said.

Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani (upper R) gives a thumbs up as she is recognised by President Donald Trump during the inaugural meeting in Washington. AFP

"Every dollar spent is an investment in stability and the hope of new and harmonious (region)," Trump said in thanking the donors. He added, "The Board of Peace is showing how a better future can be built right here in this room."

The dollars pledged, while significant, represents a small fraction of the estimated $70 billion needed to rebuild the Palestinian territory decimated after two years of war between Israel and Hamas.

Trump also announced the US was pledging $10 billion for the board, but didn't specify what the money will be used for.

Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, the leader of the newly created International Stabilisation Force, said the plans call for 12,000 police and 20,000 soldiers for Gaza.

President Donald Trump and other leaders attend the inaugural Board of Peace meeting at the US Institute of Peace in Washington. Reuters

In the interest of creating an international stabilisation force, Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania pledged to send thousands of troops to Gaza, according to Jasper Jeffers. Egypt and Jordan have committed to train police.

"With these first steps, we help bring the security that Gaza needs for a future of prosperity and enduring peace," Jeffers said.

It wasn't only heads of state who offered major contributions to Trump's Board of Peace.

FIFA TO SPEND $50M FOR FOOTBALL STADIUM IN GAZA

FIFA President Giovanni Infantino outlined a new plan by the world's governing body of football - "soccer" for those who live in the US - to bring new sports opportunities to war-torn Gaza.

Gianni Infantino speaks during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. AFP

"We don't have to rebuild houses or schools or hospitals or roads," Infantino said. "We also have to rebuild and build people, emotion, hope and trust. And this is what football, my sport, is about." Specifically, FIFA pledged to spend $50 million for a national football stadium in Gaza to hold between 20,000 and 25,000 spectators in addition to a FIFA academy at a cost of $15 million.

The organisation also vowed to build 50 "FIFA arena mini pitches" and five full-sized pitches at a total cost of $7.5 million.

The board was initiated as part of Trump's 20-point peace plan to end the conflict in Gaza.

But since the October ceasefire, Trump's vision for the board has morphed and he wants it to have an even more ambitious remit - one that will not only complete the Herculean task of bringing lasting peace between Israel and Hamas but will also help resolve conflicts around the globe.

But the Gaza ceasefire deal remains fragile and Trump's expanded vision for the board has triggered fears the US president is looking to create a rival to the United Nations.

Trump, pushing back against the criticism, said the creation of his board would help make the UN viable in the future.

"Someday I won't be here. The United Nations will be," Trump said. "I think it is going to be much stronger, and the Board of Peace is going to almost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly."

Agencies