In a significant diplomatic development, former U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled plans for a “Board of Peace” to oversee Gaza’s transitional governance. The announcement, made via Truth Social on Thursday, signals a new approach to resolving the protracted conflict, with Trump claiming imminent finalization of a “comprehensive demilitarisation agreement” with Hamas, backed by regional powers Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar.
The proposed board will reportedly comprise 15 Palestinian members, led by Ali Shaath, former Palestinian deputy minister for planning. While Trump withheld specific details about the committee’s composition, he emphatically declared it “the greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled” and expressed full support for a newly appointed Palestinian Technocratic Government—the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
This initiative aligns with the second phase of the ceasefire agreement that commenced in October, as confirmed by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. The transitional technocratic Palestinian administration aims to govern Gaza during its post-conflict recovery period, though progress has been hampered by persistent Israeli military operations in the besieged territory.
The human cost of the conflict remains staggering. Palestinian health authorities report over 71,400 fatalities and 171,000 injuries since hostilities began, with nearly 450 deaths recorded since October alone. The United Nations highlights the catastrophic scale of destruction, estimating more than 66 million tons of rubble requiring clearance—a process potentially spanning seven years.
International response has been cautiously optimistic. Spain welcomed the technocratic authority as a “positive step” toward Palestinian unity and stability, emphasizing its potential to alleviate Gaza’s humanitarian crisis through improved aid distribution. The committee will operate under the supervision of Nickolay Mladenov, Bulgaria’s former UN Middle East peace coordinator, who will serve as high representative.
According to documents obtained by Middle East Eye, the committee includes Omar Shamali (communications), Abdul Karim Ashour (agriculture), Aed Yaghi (health), and Aed Abu Ramadan (industry and economy), among other specialized appointments. A senior Hamas source indicated no objection to the proposed members, while Egypt confirmed majority support from Palestinian factions.
The UN describes Gaza’s population as “exhausted, traumatised, and overwhelmed,” with winter conditions exacerbating their misery. Particularly concerning are the psychological impacts on children, with the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics estimating over 39,000 had lost one or both parents by March, including 17,000 fully orphaned.