US President Donald Trump has declared a significant new step in Middle East diplomacy, announcing he will personally chair a newly formed 'Board of Peace for Gaza'. This move marks the official start of the second phase of his administration's 20-point peace proposal, which underpinned the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas last October.
A Presidential Role in Post-Conflict Governance
In a statement made on his Truth Social platform on 16th January 2026, President Trump confirmed the board's creation, describing it as a "Great Honour". The board is designed to act as an international oversight body, monitoring and supervising a transitional administration in Gaza during the crucial reconstruction period following the ceasefire. Trump stated the board would back a newly appointed Palestinian Technocratic Government, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
The announcement follows confirmation a day earlier from Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, that the US would proceed with implementing this next phase. The board is expected to consist of 10-15 leaders from Arab, Western, and other nations. Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov has been appointed as a senior representative on the ground in Gaza.
Demilitarisation and Ongoing Tensions
Central to this next stage is a push for a "comprehensive demilitarisation agreement" with Hamas. President Trump's statement emphasised that, with support from Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, the plan aims to secure the surrender of all Hamas weapons and the dismantling of every tunnel. "Hamas must IMMEDIATELY honour its commitments," Trump wrote, adding the group could comply "the easy way, or the hard way."
However, a major obstacle remains from the first phase of the ceasefire. The Israeli government is refusing to move forward until Hamas meets all its initial commitments, which includes returning the body of the final hostage, Ran Gvili. Hamas has claimed it does not know the location of Gvili's remains.
Foundation of Aid and 'Peace Through Strength'
The Trump administration claims its efforts have already facilitated "RECORD LEVELS" of humanitarian aid to Gaza since the October ceasefire, an achievement it says even the United Nations has acknowledged as unprecedented. Trump argues these results have set the stage for the current governance phase.
Concluding his announcement with his signature phrase, the President framed the strategy as one of "PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH." The formation of the Board of Peace represents a highly direct approach, with the US President placing himself at the helm of Gaza's complex transitional administration.
