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US President Donald Trump told the first meeting of his “Board of Peace” Thursday that nations had contributed $7bn to a Gaza reconstruction fund that aims to rebuild the enclave once Hamas disarms, an objective that is far from becoming a reality.The disarmament of Hamas and accompanying withdrawal of Israeli troops, the size of the reconstruction fund and the flow of humanitarian aid to the war-battered populace of Gaza are among the major questions likely to test the effectiveness of the board in the months ahead.While US warplanes and aircraft carriers headed toward Iran on his orders, Trump welcomed some two dozen allies from around the world to the gleaming Washington building of the former US Institute of Peace, which has been gutted and renamed after the 79-year-old Republican.In a flurry of announcements at the end of a speech to representatives from 47 nations, Trump said the US will contribute $10bn to the Board of Peace.He said that contributing nations had raised $7bn as an initial down payment for Gaza reconstruction.Trump proposed the board in September when he announced his plan to end Israel's war in Gaza.Trump said that Norway would host a Board of Peace event, but Norway clarified it was not joining the board.The Board of Peace includes Israel but not Palestinian representatives."Together we can achieve the dream of bringing lasting harmony to a region tortured by centuries of war, suffering," said the realtor-turned-president, who has previously spoken improbably of building tourist resorts in Gaza.Trump did not explain exactly where the money would go and his Board of Peace has drawn wide criticism for its opaque nature.Trump will wield veto power over the Board 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 $1bn.Trump's suggestion that the Board could eventually address challenges beyond Gaza has stirred anxiety that it could undermine the UN's role as the main platform for global diplomacy and conflict resolution."We're going to strengthen the United Nations," Trump said, trying to assuage his critics, even though the United States is in arrears on making payments.Trump said several nations are planning to send thousands of troops to participate in an International Stabilisation Force that will help keep the peace in Gaza when it eventually deploys.Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced his country would contribute up to 8,000 troops to the force "to make this peace work”.The plan for the force is to begin working in areas Israel controls in the absence of Hamas disarmament.Hamas, fearful of Israeli reprisals, has been reluctant to hand over weaponry as part of Trump's 20-point Gaza plan that brought about a fragile ceasefire last October in the two-year Gaza war.Trump said he hoped the use of force to disarm Hamas would not be necessary.He said Hamas had promised to disarm and it "looks like they're going to be doing that, but we'll have to find out”.In Gaza, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said any international force must "monitor the ceasefire and prevent the (Israeli) occupation from continuing its aggression".Disarmament could be discussed, he said, without directly committing to it.The event had the feel of a Trump campaign rally, with music blaring from his eclectic playlist that included Elvis Presley and the Beach Boys.Participants received red Trump hats."We have to get this right. There is no plan B for Gaza. Plan B is going back to war. No one here wants that," said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 

His Excellency the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi has met Okubo Takeshi, the special assistant to the Japanese minister of foreign affairs and ambassador in charge of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, who is visiting Qatar. Discussions during the meeting centred on avenues for advancing bilateral co-operation between the two countries, the latest developments in the region, particularly in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as a range of matters of shared interest. HE Dr al-Khulaifi underscored the importance of concerted regional and global efforts to ensure the full enforcement of the ceasefire accord in the Gaza Strip, paving the way for sustainable peace and the desired stability in the region. 

His Excellency Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, met on Monday with Special Assistant to the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador in charge of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, Okubo Takeshi, who is visiting the State of Qatar. Discussions during the meeting centered on avenues for advancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the latest developments in the region, particularly in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as a range of matters of shared interest. HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored the importance of concerted regional and global efforts to ensure the full enforcement of the ceasefire accord in the Gaza Strip, paving the way for sustainable peace and the desired stability in the region.

Syrian Minister of Finance Dr. Mohammed Yisr Barniehآ said that the recent Qatari-Saudi $89 million support to enable the payment of salaries for government employees, represents a continuation of the generous fraternal support provided by the State of Qatar, in partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to Syria's people and its institutions. He affirmed that this support reflects the deep fraternal relations between the two countries and demonstrates Qatar's firm commitment to backing Syria in its path toward reconstruction and development.In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), he expressed the Syrian government's sincere appreciation and gratitude to the State of Qatar for its ongoing and valued support across various fields. He pointed out that this support had a tangible positive impact during and after the Syrian crisis by strengthening national institutions and supporting the development process.He explained that the Qatari-Saudi grant came at a critical stage, highlighted by Qatar's active contributions to energy and electricity projects that will help improve vital services and ensure their continuity, as these are fundamental pillars for economic growth and sustainable development. This is alongside Qatar's investments in infrastructure projects that support the Syrian economy, he added.The State of Qatar's support, alongside Saudi Arabia, to help cover wage and salary expenses extends their previously well-recognized role, helping the Syrian government in advancing its plan to reform the wage system and close the arrears file with the World Bank, he said, noting that this reflects the State of Qatar's consistent keenness to support the Syrian state efforts to achieve economic recovery and restore the path of sustainable development.The Syrian Minister of Finance confirmed that this generous support embodies the depth of fraternal relations between Syria and Qatar and affirms Doha's firm commitment to supporting Syria on its journey toward comprehensive reconstruction and development.He pointed out that the grant is an important step in supporting the wage and salary system in Syria and contributing to improving the living standards of public sector employees. He explained that this initiative is a continuation of previous grants that helped enhance the stability of public services and alleviate the living burdens on employees and citizens, while also directly supporting the governmentط·s efforts to implement wage system reforms.In his interview with QNA, he noted that the grant will gradually cover about 17 percent of the wage bill for non-military employees, a significant percentage that will enable the government to continue its economic, financial, and social reform program, positively impacting citizens' livelihoods and the stability of state institutions' performance.The Syrian government, he said, is grateful to its brothers in the State of Qatar for their constant support of Syria in regional and international forums and their readiness to provide expertise, knowledge, and technical advice in financial reform areas.He also emphasised that Syria seeks to build on the continuous Qatari-Saudi support to expand cooperation areas in the upcoming phase by developing comprehensive strategic partnerships with sisterly and friendly countries. This, he said, aims to enhance opportunities for economic and social development, attract investments, and improve the quality of basic services. He clarified that the fraternal cooperation with Qatar and Saudi Arabia is especially important in supporting vital sectors, developing economic policies, and transferring institutional expertise, knowledge, and technologies, thereby contributing to supporting institutional reform in Syria, activating the Syrian economy, and improving the overall and sustainable standard of living.In September, an $89 million joint grant from Qatar and Saudi Arabia was announced to support the salaries of public sector employees in the Syrian Arab Republic. This funding also aims to enhance the stability of essential public services. The initiative was launched by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aiming to support the Syrian government's efforts to implement financial and economic reforms and improve living standards for civil sector employees within the national recovery program.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer affirmed his country's readiness to support the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. "The UK stands ready to support rebuilding Gaza, and we will work with partners to secure a stable future for the region," Starmer posted on "X" platform upon his arrival in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The Prime Minister added that he will meet with international leaders at the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit to work on the first decisive step toward peace in the Middle East. The British Prime Minister's Office announced that the United Kingdom will host a three-day conference on Gaza recovery and reconstruction, bringing together a coalition of business, civil society, and government representatives to coordinate critical planning efforts for the post-war reconstruction of Gaza. The conference aims to address efforts to support the Palestinian Authority's transformation and reform program, ensuring its ability to lead recovery efforts in Gaza, where reconstruction will be Palestinian-led. The conference will be attended by a number of international partners, including Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority, in addition to the private sector and international financing institutions, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank.

The British Prime Minister announced that the United Kingdom will host a conference on Gaza's recovery and reconstruction in the coming period. A statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said that the Wilton Park conference will last for three days and will bring together a coalition of business, civil society, and government representatives to coordinate critical planning efforts for the reconstruction of Gaza after the war. The statement added that the conference will address efforts to support the Palestinian Authority's transformation and reform program, ensuring its ability to lead recovery efforts in Gaza and ensuring that reconstruction will be Palestinian-led. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK will play a crucial role in the process by bringing together the various stakeholders, as well as expertise and investment from the City of London to support reconstruction. Israel has been waging a devastating war on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 67,806 people and the injury of 170,066 others, most of whom were children and women. The war also triggered a famine that claimed the lives of 460 people, including 154 children, amid the near-total destruction of the Strip's infrastructure and civilian life.