US President Donald Trump has revealed plans to advance the Israel-Palestine peace process by introducing a “Board of Peace for Gaza.” This board, a crucial component of the Trump administration’s 20-point peace initiative, will be headed by the President himself and will supervise a technocratic government in Gaza. Trump made this announcement on his Truth Social platform, emphasizing the board’s role in managing an interim administration for Gaza’s post-ceasefire reconstruction phase.
Simultaneously, Trump has stated that US representatives will work towards a definitive demilitarization agreement, aiming to persuade Hamas to permanently disarm.
The Board of Peace is expected to consist of around 10-15 leaders from various nations, with former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov serving as a key representative in Gaza. Trump expressed his commitment to progressing towards peace by supporting a new Palestinian Technocratic Government and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, endorsed by the Board’s High Representative.
Trump highlighted the collaboration with countries like Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar to achieve a comprehensive Demilitarization Agreement with Hamas, including the surrender of all weapons and the closure of tunnels. Urging Hamas to fulfill its obligations promptly, Trump emphasized the importance of prioritizing peace and stability in Gaza.
The “Board of Peace” is a pivotal aspect of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, designed to oversee Gaza’s transitional administration during the post-ceasefire reconstruction phase. This announcement follows a confirmation by Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, regarding the initiation of the second phase of the Gaza peace plan, despite challenges related to the remaining hostage situation in Gaza.
While Hamas was expected to return all hostages during the initial phase of the ceasefire, the unresolved case of Ran Gvili’s remains has led to a standstill. The Israeli government has insisted on Hamas fulfilling all commitments from the first phase, including the return of Gvili, before progressing further in the peace process.