By Amjad Qaimkhani
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump unveiled a nine-nation “Board of Peace” designed to oversee a ceasefire, reconstruction, and the pursuit of lasting peace in Gaza, signaling a high-profile diplomatic effort to address one of the most intractable conflicts in the Middle East.
According to international media reports, foreign ministers from Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar confirmed their participation, with Kuwait joining the initiative shortly afterwards.
In a joint statement, the member states said the board would work to consolidate a durable ceasefire, support reconstruction efforts, and promote a fair and lasting peace grounded in Palestinian self-determination and the recognition of statehood.
The initiative is reportedly part of a broader 20-point plan put forward by the Trump administration to bring an end to the cycle of violence in Gaza. Senior advisers, including Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, were said to be closely involved in shaping the strategy.
International reports suggested that the board would oversee a Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with managing Gaza’s day-to-day affairs. Yet, the plan immediately drew criticism from local residents and observers, who questioned the wisdom of US-led leadership and the inclusion of states perceived as supportive of Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed his participation, a move that sparked outrage among Palestinians, given that he faces an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
