In a significant development toward implementing the US-backed Gaza peace initiative, former President Donald Trump has proclaimed the establishment of a high-level “Board of Peace” to oversee post-conflict governance in the Palestinian territory. The announcement came via Trump’s Truth Social platform on Thursday, where he characterized the newly formed body as “the greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled at any time, any place.”
This diplomatic move follows the recent creation of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with managing Gaza’s daily administrative functions following the recent cessation of hostilities. The committee will operate under the direct supervision of the Peace Board, which Trump revealed he will personally chair.
The comprehensive peace framework, which initially took effect on October 10, 2025, previously facilitated the release of all Hamas-held hostages and established a ceasefire between the militant organization and Israeli forces. The current second phase involves deploying an International Stabilization Force to provide security assistance and train vetted Palestinian police units.
However, the transition remains fraught with challenges. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports ongoing casualties, alleging Israeli forces have killed 451 people since the ceasefire nominally began. Palestinian leadership continues to emphasize the critical need for complete Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza—a stipulated but not yet scheduled component of the agreement.
Meanwhile, Hamas has conspicuously avoided committing to full disarmament, which Israel considers non-negotiable. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, emphasized Washington’s expectation that Hamas must “comply fully with its obligations” in a social media post that Trump subsequently endorsed.
In a parallel development, Hamas is preparing internal elections to reconstitute its leadership structure, significantly diminished by Israeli operations during the conflict. These elections are anticipated in early 2026, according to statements from Hamas officials.
Trump expressed confidence in achieving comprehensive demilitarization agreements with Hamas through multilateral cooperation with Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, specifically mentioning the surrender of all weapons and dismantling of tunnel networks.