US and Qatar Prepare for Peacekeeping in Gaza as Trump Plans Meeting with Xi Jinping

US President Donald Trump met with Qatari officials, including Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, on Air Force One during a refueling stop in Qatar. Trump announced that Qatar would likely provide troops to maintain peace in Gaza, a development that comes as the US and other nations prepare for a potential United Nations resolution or international agreement to authorize a multinational peacekeeping force in the region. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is traveling to Southeast Asia on a separate flight, will discuss the potential resolution or agreement with Qatari officials on Sunday.

Key Takeaways:

• Qatari officials are preparing peacekeeping troops for Gaza, with President Trump announcing that Qatar would likely provide troops to maintain peace in the region.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is traveling to Southeast Asia and will discuss a potential United Nations resolution or international agreement to authorize a multinational peacekeeping force in Gaza with Qatari officials.
• A team is working to outline a possible resolution or agreement, with many countries expressing interest in participating, either monetarily or with personnel.
• Rubio spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss continuing efforts to end all conflict in Gaza.
• Trump will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, as part of a Southeast Asia trip that includes a planned meeting with US diplomats and regional leaders.

Statistics:

• Qatari officials will provide troops to maintain peace in Gaza, as announced by President Trump during a meeting on Air Force One.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will discuss a potential United Nations resolution or international agreement to authorize a multinational peacekeeping force in Gaza with Qatari officials on Sunday.
• A total of 8 countries, including Qatar, have expressed interest in participating in a potential peacekeeping force in Gaza, according to The Times of Israel.
• The estimated cost of a multinational peacekeeping force in Gaza is unknown, but US diplomats are working to outline a possible resolution or agreement.

Sources:

• UPI, "Qatar officials preparing to deploy peacekeeping troops to Gaza, Trump says", (no date)
• The Jerusalem Post, "Trump: Qatar will help keep peace in the Middle East", (no date)
• The Times of Israel, "Rubio: US, Israel close allies on Gaza peacekeeping force", (no date)
• State Department, "News Release: Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Travel to Southeast Asia", (no date)