Trump makes his ‘greatest’ Middle East announcement | US | News
US President Donald Trump has announced the creation of the “Board of Peace for Gaza”, a key component of his 20-point peace plan that led to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization last October. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared it his “Great Honor” to announce the board’s formation, adding that the names of the members would be made public at a later date.
The “Board of Peace” is part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan and is set to serve as an international transitional oversight body supervising Gaza’s transitional administration during the post-ceasefire reconstruction period. According to the plan, day-to-day administration will be handled by a technocratic Palestinian Arab committee overseen by an intermediate executive committee, reports Israel National News.
The “Board of Peace” will be chaired by President Trump himself and is expected to include around 10-15 leaders from Arab, Western, and other countries. Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov will serve as a senior representative on the ground in Gaza.
Witkoff announces move to Phase Two
Trump’s post comes a day after his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, announced that the US would now move to implement the second phase of the Trump administration’s Gaza peace plan. However, the announcement was made despite the fact that the body of Ran Gvili, the last hostage, continues to be held in Gaza.
As part of the ceasefire conditions, Hamas was to have returned all hostages it was holding in Phase One, but it continues to hold Gvili’s body, claiming it does not know its location.
Israel has provided critical information on the burial place of Gvili, but Hamas has ignored it. The Israeli government has maintained its opposition to the implementation of the second phase before Hamas fulfills all of its obligations from the first stage, including the return of Gvili.
Trump’s Gaza peace plan leads to October ceasefire
Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza led to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in October. The “Board of Peace” is a crucial part of the plan, serving as an international transitional oversight body that supervises and provides oversight for Gaza’s transitional administration during the post-ceasefire reconstruction period.
Witkoff’s announcement on moving to Phase Two has sparked controversy, as it comes despite Hamas failing to fulfill all of its obligations from the first stage of the ceasefire agreement, particularly the return of Ran Gvili’s body.
The Israeli government has maintained its opposition to proceeding with the second phase until Hamas complies with all the conditions set out in the first stage.
