Trump's Board of Peace Gathers for First Meeting with European Allies Absent
Good morning and welcome to the US politics live blog. The inaugural meeting of US president Donald Trump's Board of Peace, an initiative aimed at ending the war in Gaza, commences today with representatives from more than 45 countries anticipated to participate.
However, significant European allies, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, have declined their invitations, expressing caution about the board's operations and its potential to compete with the United Nations. Notably, the board lacks Palestinian representation, while Israel holds a seat, raising questions about its inclusivity and effectiveness.
Background and Key Issues
This summit follows nearly three months after the UN security council approved a US-backed ceasefire plan, which granted a two-year mandate for the Board of Peace to oversee the demilitarisation and reconstruction of Gaza. Critical unresolved matters include the disarmament of Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the extent of reconstruction efforts, and the delivery of humanitarian aid into the enclave.
Ahead of the meeting, Trump announced that board members have committed $5 billion (£3.7 billion) towards reconstruction, a small portion of the estimated $70 billion (£52 billion) required to rebuild the Palestinian territory, which has suffered extensive damage from two years of conflict.
Fragile Ceasefire and Ongoing Tensions
The ceasefire in Gaza remains precarious, with Israel and Hamas accusing each other of breaching the agreement. Under the ceasefire terms, Israeli troops have withdrawn to positions behind a designated yellow line, yet they continue to control more than half of the territory, complicating peace efforts.
This gathering highlights the challenges in achieving lasting peace, as geopolitical divisions and funding shortfalls persist. The absence of major European powers underscores skepticism about the board's ability to rival established international bodies like the UN.
