ISTANBUL

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokaev said Thursday that his country is willing to support the International Stabilization Force in Gaza by deploying military units, including medical personnel, and sending observers to a civil-military coordination center.

Tokaev said at the first Board of Peace meeting in Washington that Kazakhstan is prepared to contribute a “significant amount of cash” directly to the board “without any delay.”

He said his country also plans to take part in restoration and reconstruction efforts in Gaza through international companies.

“The program, mostly funded by our government, may include the construction of infrastructure, housing, residential complexes, schools, hospitals and other important civilian facilities, as well as rubble clearings,” he said.

Kazakhstan intends to offer 500 scholarships to Palestinian students over five years and share its expertise in e-government and digital development, he said. “We pledge to fully accomplish our financial commitment toward the boat. As one of the world’s major producers of wheat, Kazakhstan is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to enhance food security in Gaza and beyond.”

He said sustainable development in the Middle East requires new approaches to promote cooperation and trust, noting that Kazakhstan has joined the Abraham Accords -- US-sponsored agreements to normalize relations between Israel and Muslim-majority countries -- in support of broader peace-building efforts.

Kazakhstan is also prepared to host meetings at various levels in support of the initiative, he said.

“I also would like to propose to establish a special President Trump’s award of the Board of Peace to recognize his outstanding peace-building efforts and achievements,” said Tokaev.

The Board of Peace was established by US President Donald Trump's initiative within the framework of efforts toward a peaceful settlement in the Gaza Strip and seeks peacemaking around the world.

Trump said Thursday that Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait collectively pledged more than $7 billion, and the US is contributing $10 billion to the new body.

Israel began its war in Gaza on Oct. 8, 2023, resulting in more than 72,000 Palestinian deaths and over 171,000 injuries, most of them women and children, and damage to 90% of civilian infrastructure.

Despite a ceasefire, the Israeli army continued its attacks, killing at least 611 Palestinians and injuring 1,630, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.