00:02The first meeting of President Trump's Board of Peace is happening today, with dozens of
00:08countries focused on rebuilding Gaza and stabilizing the territory. Ahead of the meeting,
00:13Trump said members have pledged $5 billion toward reconstruction. The total cost to rebuild Gaza
00:19is estimated at roughly $70 billion. Countries are also expected to commit thousands of personnel
00:25to stabilization and policing forces inside the territory. The Board is a key piece of Trump's
00:3220-point peace plan at ending the war between Israel and Hamas. The administration says it
00:37could also serve as a broader model for resolving other global conflicts. While large-scale fighting
00:43in Gaza has largely subsided, Israel's military continues airstrikes in areas it controls. More
00:50than 40 countries and the European Union are reportedly sending representatives. A senior
00:55administration official told the AP that Germany, Italy, Norway, and Switzerland have not formally
01:01joined the board, but will attend today's session as observers. The UN Security Council held a high-level
01:07meeting yesterday on the ceasefire and Israel's expanding operations in the West Bank. That
01:13session was moved up after the Board of Peace meeting was announced. At the UN, Ambassador Mike
01:18Waltz pushed back on criticism of the new initiative.
01:21I've heard we are hearing the chattering class criticizing the structure of the board, that it's
01:29unconventional, that it's unprecedented. Again, the old ways were not working. We had choices of Hamas
01:42continuing to control Gaza, an occupation of Gaza, or a new way.
01:50At today's session, the Gaza Executive Board, the operational arm of the effort, is expected to outline the
01:56next steps toward establishing a functioning governing structure inside Gaza.
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