US President Donald Trump has revealed plans for the next phase of the Israel-Palestine peace initiative, introducing a “Board of Peace for Gaza.” This board, a key component of the 20-point peace proposal, will oversee a technocratic government in Gaza and will be led by President Trump himself. The aim is to manage an interim administration for Gaza’s post-ceasefire reconstruction period.
In addition, President Trump has stated that US representatives will work towards a comprehensive demilitarization agreement, targeting the permanent disarmament of Hamas. The board is expected to include 10-15 leaders from various nations, with former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov playing a crucial role in Gaza.
Trump emphasized the successful delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza post-ceasefire and highlighted the significant progress made in the region. The President expressed confidence in the newly appointed Palestinian Technocratic Government and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, supported by the Board’s High Representative, in governing Gaza during the transition.
Collaborating with countries like Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, Trump aims to negotiate a thorough Demilitarization Agreement with Hamas, calling for the surrender of all weapons and the dismantling of tunnels. Urging Hamas to fulfill its commitments promptly, Trump emphasized the importance of achieving peace through strength.
The establishment of the “Board of Peace” is a pivotal element in Trump’s peace plan, serving as an international oversight body for Gaza’s transitional administration during the post-ceasefire period. The announcement follows confirmation from the US Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, regarding the implementation of the next phase of the peace plan, despite challenges such as the unresolved issue of the final hostage in Gaza.
Despite obstacles, including Hamas’s failure to return all hostages as agreed in Phase One, Trump’s administration is determined to move forward with the Gaza peace blueprint. The Israeli government maintains its stance on the importance of fulfilling all commitments from the initial stage before advancing to the next phase of the peace process.