Washington DC, January 20: US President Donald Trump has formally launched the “Board of Peace” as the centrepiece of Phase Two of his 20-Point Peace Plan aimed at ending the Gaza conflict, shifting the focus from a ceasefire to demilitarisation, technocratic governance, and large-scale reconstruction. The initiative has drawn international support, invitations to dozens of countries, and sharp objections from Israel, underscoring both its ambition and controversy.
Announcing the move on Truth Social, Trump said the United States had “officially entered the next phase” of the Gaza peace plan following what he described as record levels of humanitarian aid delivered during the ceasefire. “Since the ceasefire, my team has helped deliver record levels of humanitarian aid to Gaza, reaching civilians at historic speed and scale. Even the United Nations has acknowledged this achievement as unprecedented,” he said.
Trump will serve as Chairman of the newly created Board of Peace, which is designed to support a transitional Palestinian technocratic authority, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). The NCAG will govern Gaza during the transition period and is tasked with restoring public services, rebuilding civil institutions, and stabilising daily life. The body will be led by Ali Sha’ath, described by the White House as a widely respected technocratic leader.
According to the plan, Phase Two prioritises comprehensive demilitarisation, including the surrender of all weapons by Hamas and the dismantling of its tunnel network, alongside reconstruction and economic revival. With mediation support from Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, the United States expects Hamas to fully comply with its obligations, including the return of the final deceased hostage. Trump warned that failure to do so would bring “serious consequences,” declaring, “The people of Gaza have suffered long enough. The time is now. Peace through strength.”
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who formally announced the launch of Phase Two, said Phase One had successfully maintained the ceasefire, secured the return of all living hostages, enabled the recovery of 27 of the 28 deceased hostages, and facilitated humanitarian assistance at an unprecedented scale.
The White House has unveiled a high-profile Executive Board to oversee Phase Two, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Other members include Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan and US Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel. Executive Board members will oversee portfolios critical to Gaza’s stabilisation, such as governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, and capital mobilisation.
Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum have been appointed senior advisers to lead day-to-day strategy and operations, while Nickolay Mladenov will serve as High Representative for Gaza, acting as the on-the-ground link between the Board of Peace and the NCAG. For security, Major General Jasper Jeffers has been named Commander of the International Stabilisation Force, tasked with supporting demilitarisation and enabling safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials.
A separate Gaza Executive Board has also been constituted, including Blair, Kushner, Witkoff, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al Thawadi, and others. This structure has triggered strong objections from Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government said the appointments were not coordinated with Israel and “run contrary to its policy,” particularly objecting to the inclusion of Turkish and Qatari representatives. Netanyahu has directed his foreign minister to convey Israel’s concerns to Washington.
International reactions have been mixed. The United Arab Emirates welcomed the launch of Phase Two and the formation of the NCAG, calling the Board of Peace an important framework for stability. UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy said lasting peace requires coordinated international efforts and effective governance in Gaza, while reaffirming support for a two-state solution.
Pakistan confirmed it has been invited to join the Board of Peace, saying it would continue to engage with international initiatives aimed at restoring peace in Gaza in line with UN resolutions. India has also been invited and is reviewing the proposal, according to sources. Invitations have reportedly been extended to around 60 countries, including Jordan, Greece, Cyprus, Canada, Turkey, Egypt, and several others, with Russia and Belarus also named among invitees. Trump has publicly confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is among those invited.
Under the proposed structure, countries contributing USD 1 billion would secure permanent seats on the Board, while others could join on renewable three-year terms. US officials say the funding model is intended to finance reconstruction in places like Gaza while avoiding “bureaucratic bloat.” However, European leaders have expressed scepticism about the cost and the board’s overlap with existing multilateral institutions.
The Board of Peace and Trump’s broader Gaza plan received international legitimacy after being endorsed by the UN Security Council in November 2025, following the ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025, ending months of conflict between Israel and Hamas.
As the United States prepares to announce additional members—possibly during the World Economic Forum in Davos—the initiative remains a bold but divisive effort. Supporters argue it could accelerate reconstruction and stabilisation in Gaza, while critics warn its structure, funding model, and lack of coordination with key regional stakeholders could undermine its effectiveness. (ANI)
869 words, 5 minutes read time.
About The Author
