Trump announces Gaza Board of Peace in phase two of US-backed plan

US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the formation of a Gaza board of peace, describing it as a key phase-two step in a US-backed plan aimed at ending the war in the region. He revealed the move in a post on his Truth Social platform late Thursday but did not disclose the names of those who will serve on the board. According to the plan, the board would oversee a technocratic committee responsible for managing Gaza’s day-to-day affairs as part of a broader ceasefire framework.

"It is my great honor to announce that THE BOARD OF PEACE has been formed," Trump wrote. "The members of the Board will be announced shortly, but I can say with certainty that it is the greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled at any time, any place."

PHASE TWO SHIFTS FOCUS TO GOVERNANCE

This is a major development for the US proposed Gaza vision, under which an international governing body will intervene when active conflict is reduced.

Challenges will multiply as Washington goes forward with phase two: mediators will then confront the need to take up the prickly issue of dismantling Hamas, which the militant organisation has resisted for years, and the potential deployment of an international peacekeeping force to stabilise the territory.

The first phase of the US-backed Gaza plan has been rocked by setbacks, including Israeli airstrikes, delays in reopening Gaza’s border crossing with Egypt, and the failure to recover the remains of a final Israeli hostage, Reuters reported.

Announcing the second phase in a social media post, President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said it would "establish a transitional technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza" and launch the process of disarmament and reconstruction.

According to a joint statement from mediators Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, the technocratic body will comprise 15 members and be led by Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Western-backed Palestinian Authority who previously oversaw the development of industrial zones.

Israel and Hamas signed onto Trump’s plan in October. Under its terms, the technocratic Palestinian administration would operate under the supervision of an international Board of Peace, which is intended to govern Gaza during a transitional period.

Witkoff said phase two would also initiate "the full demilitarisation and reconstruction of Gaza," with a primary focus on "the disarmament of all unauthorised personnel."

Hamas, which has refused to surrender its weapons, agreed in October to relinquish day-to-day governance to the technocratic committee. However, it remains unclear how the group — which has regrouped since a fragile ceasefire began — would be compelled to disarm under the plan.

- Ends

With inputs from agencies

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