On Thursday, President Donald Trump introduced a newly created governing entity, dubbed the 'Board of Peace,' designed to play a central role in managing Gaza's transition in the wake of conflict. Speaking on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed high regard for the body, asserting it as "the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place." Though detailed member appointments remain forthcoming, he indicated they would be announced soon.
The inception of this board aligns with recent developments including the formation of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee, assigned with handling Gaza's day-to-day administrative responsibilities following wartime disruptions. This technocratic team, established with backing from the United States and several regional mediators, is intended to function under the supervision of the newly announced Board of Peace. Trump is anticipated to serve as chairperson of this overseeing group, further cementing U.S. involvement in Gaza's post-conflict governance.
Further dimensions of the broader peace initiative include proposals for an International Stabilization Force. According to a report published by The Washington Post on the same day as the announcement, such a force would be responsible for securing Gaza and providing training to Palestinian police units that have undergone vetting procedures. These steps form part of a more comprehensive plan targeting security, stability, and governance reconstruction.
The response from Hamas to this evolving framework has been cautiously receptive. Bassem Naim, a senior official within Hamas, shared his perspective with Al Jazeera, acknowledging the announcement and emphasizing the necessity for follow-through by external parties. Naim stated, "The ball is now in the court of the mediators, the American guarantor and the international community to empower the committee," highlighting the reliance on international actors to ensure effectiveness and legitimacy.
This peace plan, endorsed by the United Nations Security Council in the previous autumn, formally commenced on October 10. Its activation coincided with the implementation of a ceasefire arrangement, initiatives for the release of hostages held by Hamas, and a structured, phased retraction of Israeli military forces in accordance with a 20-point framework developed under Trump's guidance.
The next stage of this plan concentrates on persistent issues such as demilitarization, reconstruction of infrastructure, and transitional governance arrangements. However, these efforts remain complicated by unresolved security concerns and political complexities that are yet to be addressed satisfactorily by involved parties.
Despite the ceasefire, reports from Gaza's Health Ministry indicate that ongoing Israeli military actions have resulted in over 450 Palestinian fatalities since the ceasefire took effect, which is publicly referred to as "ostensibly" being in force. Both Israeli and Palestinian sides continue to exchange allegations concerning violations of the truce, underscoring the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the challenges of maintaining peace on the ground.
Among key sticking points, many Palestinians continue to demand a complete withdrawal of Israeli military forces from the Gaza Strip. This demand is incorporated into the overarching peace plan framework but lacks precise scheduling for implementation. Furthermore, Hamas has yet to publicly declare a commitment to full disarmament, which remains a fundamental condition for Israel's acceptance of any agreement.
John Bolton, a former U.S. national security adviser, has cautioned regarding the potential collapse of Trump's peace plan if this disarmament condition is not met by Hamas. These unresolved disputes contribute to uncertainty and risk surrounding the plan's successful execution.