US President Donald Trump is expected to announce the formation of a “Board of Peace” for Gaza later this week, as part of his ambitious post-war plan for the Palestinian enclave, according to officials. The move comes amid continued tensions between Israel and Hamas, casting doubt over how smoothly the initiative can move forward.
The proposed board, chaired by Trump and made up largely of current heads of state or government, is intended to oversee the political and economic transformation of Gaza under Trump’s 20-point plan. Its primary objectives include establishing an interim governing authority to replace Hamas, mobilising foreign aid, and arranging a security presence to stabilise the territory.
While the full list of board members has not yet been disclosed, Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov has been identified as the chief executive officer. Several US and Israeli officials indicated that Trump’s formal announcement could take place this week.
Bishara Bahbah, a Palestinian American who has acted as an intermediary between the Trump camp and Hamas, said in a statement addressed to Gaza’s residents that the Board of Peace is expected to be unveiled in the coming days. He added that its first official meeting is likely to be held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos later this month.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has welcomed Trump’s plan and the initial ceasefire phase, which led to the release of the last living hostages held in Gaza and left Israeli forces in control of more than half of the territory. However, he has expressed concern that Hamas fighters could remain active in areas not under Israeli control if reconstruction begins too quickly.
During a recent meeting with Mladenov, Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s position that Hamas must be fully disarmed and Gaza demilitarised in line with Trump’s plan. Hamas, for its part, has said it would only consider giving up its weapons to a future Palestinian government that operates without foreign oversight.
The Trump administration has signalled a willingness to allow flexibility in timelines, particularly on disarmament and rebuilding. US ambassador to Jerusalem Mike Huckabee said Hamas could not indefinitely delay laying down its arms, warning that the group would have no future role in Gaza if it continued to do so.