US President Donald Trump proclaimed the formation of a “Board of Peace” for Gaza on Thursday, a pivotal component of the second phase in a Washington-supported initiative to conclude the conflict in the Palestinian territory.
“It is my great honor to announce that the Board of Peace has been formed,” President Trump stated in a post on his Truth Social platform, adding that the body’s members would be revealed “shortly.”
He further asserted, “I can say with certainty that it is the greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled at any time, any place.”
This announcement follows closely the establishment of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee, tasked with overseeing the civilian administration of Gaza after the war.
The committee is set to operate under the supervision of the newly formed board, which President Trump confirmed he will chair.
The broader peace framework also includes provisions for deploying an International Stabilisation Force to assist with security and to train approved Palestinian police units.
In a statement released on Thursday, senior Hamas official Basem Naim remarked, “The ball is now in the court of the mediators, the American guarantor and the international community to empower the committee.”
The US-endorsed ceasefire plan, which initially took effect on 10 October, led to a halt in hostilities between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in Gaza and facilitated the return of all captives held by Hamas.
The process has now moved into its second stage, albeit amidst persistent reports of aid shortfalls and violence.
Health authorities in Gaza, administered by Hamas, report that Israeli military actions have resulted in 451 fatalities since the truce began.
A fundamental demand from Palestinians remains the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip – a stipulated part of the plan for which no specific timeline has been provided.
Hamas has yet to publicly agree to a full disarmament, a condition Israel insists is non-negotiable.
In a Truth Social post on Wednesday, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff emphasised that Washington expects Hamas to “comply fully with its obligations.”
Meanwhile, Hamas is preparing to conduct internal elections to reconstitute its leadership, heavily impacted by Israeli operations during the war. A Hamas official informed AFP on Monday that this vote is anticipated “in the first months of 2026.”
President Trump shared Envoy Witkoff’s post on Thursday, commenting, “These Palestinian leaders are unwaveringly committed to a peaceful future!” regarding the transitional governance structure.
“With the support of Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, we will secure a Comprehensive Demilitarisation Agreement with Hamas, including the surrender of all weapons, and the dismantling of every tunnel,” President Trump declared.
