President Donald Trump has declared the formation of a new international body, termed the 'Board of Peace', which is set to take on the governance of the Gaza Strip. This move marks the United States' progression into the second phase of its peace initiative between Israel and Hamas.
The Structure and Ambition of the New Board
Under the proposed 20-point peace plan, this transitional board is designed to supervise the extensive redevelopment and administration of Gaza. President Trump will personally head and chair the board, which is expected to include other global leaders. A key figure is Nickolay Mladenov, the former United Nations Middle East envoy, who is anticipated to act as the liaison between the board and a new Palestinian-run body, the National Committee for Administration of Gaza (NCAG).
While the full roster is yet to be confirmed, reports from the Times of Israel suggest the US has secured commitments from nations including Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany for their leaders to join. A US official stated that Trump was deeply involved in selecting invitees, with a significant number of countries receiving invitations on Wednesday. Trump himself boasted on his Truth Social platform, proclaiming it "the greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled." The inaugural meeting is reportedly planned for this week on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The Crucial Second Phase: Demilitarisation and Reconstruction
The core of the plan's second phase, as outlined by Trump's special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, is the "full demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza", specifically focusing on disarming all unauthorised personnel. This presents a major challenge, as Hamas, which agreed in October to hand over daily governance to a technocratic committee, has historically refused to lay down its arms.
Witkoff issued a stark warning, demanding Hamas "comply fully" with its commitments, including the immediate return of the final deceased Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili. "Failure to do so will bring serious consequences," he stated. President Trump echoed this ultimatum on Truth Social, writing, "Hamas must IMMEDIATELY honor its commitments... The people of Gaza have suffered long enough. The time is NOW."
US officials acknowledge the difficulty, noting Israeli skepticism but expressing a goal to empower the new Palestinian committee as a viable alternative to Hamas. Conversations will involve negotiating Hamas's disarmament and potential amnesty programs with Israel.
The Palestinian Committee and the Road Ahead
The newly formed NCAG, endorsed by both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas, will handle Gaza's daily affairs like sanitation and infrastructure. It is led by Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority, who stated the immediate priority is urgent relief and housing for displaced Palestinians. He ambitiously suggested clearing rubble could be achieved within three years, though a 2025 UN report warned rebuilding homes could take decades.
Reactions from the region have been cautiously optimistic. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem called it an "important positive development" but demanded the US compel Israel to meet its ceasefire obligations. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office reiterated that Gvili's return is a "top priority". The Palestinian Authority welcomed the move, and mediators Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar jointly voiced support for the new committee.
As talks continue in Cairo, the success of this ambitious plan hinges on the critical and unresolved issue of disarmament, with further Israeli withdrawals contingent upon it. The world now watches to see if this 'Board of Peace' can navigate the deep-seated tensions to deliver lasting stability.
