President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)
Dozens of world leaders gathered in Washington Thursday morning as President Trump hosted the inaugural meeting of his newly launched Board of Peace, a forum aimed at guiding post-war reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip and addressing broader global conflicts.
The board, announced by Trump last month, is intended to oversee the rehabilitation of Gaza following a fragile Israel–Hamas ceasefire and the eventual end of the war. Trump has argued that the initiative could serve as a new international framework for preventing future conflicts and rebuilding war-torn regions.
World leaders and founding members of the Board of Peace gather for the inaugural meeting at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. pic.twitter.com/F8f67yrlZZ
However, several countries — including some longtime U.S. allies — declined to participate, citing concerns about the board’s structure and the inclusion of nations such as Russia and Belarus.
During Thursday’s meeting, Trump announced that the United States will pledge $10 billion to support the board’s mission.
Trump framed the funding as a strategic investment compared to the immense costs of prolonged military conflict.
“When you look at that compared to the cost of war, that’s two weeks of fighting,” Trump said. “It sounds like a lot, but it’s a very small number.”
In addition to Gaza reconstruction, Trump used the gathering to address rising tensions with Iran. He outlined a 10-day timeline for the U.S. and Iran to reach an agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program — warning that failure to do so could lead to military consequences.
“Maybe we’re going to make a deal,” Trump told attendees. “You’re going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days.”
Iran has said it is preparing a proposal to submit to the Trump administration within the next week. Meanwhile, the president has ordered a significant military buildup in the region, increasing the pressure on Iran and raising the stakes for negotiations.
The Board of Peace, Trump suggested, could ultimately play a larger role in confronting international crises and promoting stability worldwide.
