WASHINGTON– The United Arab Emirates pledged $1.2 billion Thursday to support Gaza’s reconstruction and stability through US President Donald Trump’s newly launched Board of Peace, as Gulf allies joined a broader international funding drive at the body’s inaugural meeting.
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced the commitment during the high-profile gathering at the Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace in Washington, chaired by Trump himself. The pledge forms part of efforts to rebuild the war-torn Palestinian enclave following a fragile ceasefire after nearly two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Sheikh Abdullah emphasised the UAE’s longstanding humanitarian support for Gaza, noting that the $1.2 billion adds to nearly $3 billion already provided in aid since the war’s onset. “The UAE remains committed to alleviating suffering and contributing to a sustainable future for the Palestinian people,” he said, according to statements from the meeting.
The announcement came amid a flurry of pledges from other Gulf states. Qatar committed $1 billion, Saudi Arabia $1 billion over the coming years, Kuwait $1 billion, and Bahrain also participated in the collective effort. Trump highlighted contributions from nine countries—including Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Uzbekistan, and the Gulf nations—totaling more than $7 billion for a Gaza relief package.
The US president declared that Washington itself would contribute $10 billion to the Board of Peace, describing the amount as modest “compared to the cost of war.” He framed the initiative as a pragmatic alternative to traditional mechanisms, praising participating nations for stepping up to fund reconstruction, humanitarian relief, and security measures.
The Board of Peace, established following Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan and endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803 in late 2025, aims to oversee postwar governance, demilitarisation of Hamas, and long-term stability. No Palestinian representatives were present at the inaugural session, though a separate committee of Palestinian technocrats is slated to handle day-to-day administration.
Five countries have committed troops and personnel to an International Stabilization Force for Gaza, with additional support for a new local police force independent of Hamas. Recruitment for the police began Thursday, drawing thousands of applicants from Gaza residents aged 18-35 with clean records.
Trump opened the meeting by crediting Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others for progress, while stressing that the board could evolve to address broader global conflicts. “The Board of Peace is showing how a better future can be built right here in this room,” he said, flanked by Vice President JD Vance and other officials.
The pledges represent a significant but partial step toward the estimated $70 billion needed for full Gaza reconstruction, according to UN assessments. Gulf states’ involvement underscores their strategic alignment with the US-led effort, even as some traditional allies express caution over the board’s potential to sideline UN frameworks.
The meeting unfolded against heightened regional tensions, including US-Iran standoffs, but Gulf participants urged focus on humanitarian priorities and inclusive peace-building. The UAE’s leading pledge reinforces Abu Dhabi’s role as a key donor in Middle East stabilisation, building on prior humanitarian corridors and aid initiatives.
As Ramadan commences across the Muslim world, the commitments aim to accelerate aid flows and infrastructure recovery in Gaza, where vast areas remain devastated