Damascus, Jan. 25 (SANA) U.S. President Donald Trump announced on January 16 the formation of Gaza’s Board of Peace as part of the second phase of a 20-point plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza and rebuilding the territory.
The announcement coincided with U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff’s declaration that the plan’s second phase would move forward, including the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian transitional administration in Gaza.
Gaza’s Board of Peace was formed following a ceasefire that came into effect in Gaza on October 10, and after an international peace summit held in Sharm el-Sheikh that brought together representatives from more than 31 countries and international organizations.
The first phase of the ceasefire agreement included the release of 20 Israeli detainees and the handover of 28 bodies, in exchange for the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,718 other detainees.
In a joint statement issued in Riyadh on January 21, the foreign ministries of eight Arab and Islamic countries said they had accepted a U.S. invitation to join the board. The countries—Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates—expressed support for the board’s role as a transitional body within a broader ceasefire framework.
On January 22, Trump signed the founding charter of Gaza’s Board of Peace in Davos, Switzerland, in the presence of representatives from 21 of the 35 countries that have agreed to join. Trump said securing a ceasefire and ensuring humanitarian aid for Gaza’s population were top priorities at this stage.
U.S. officials said the board has been recognized as an international organization and could potentially serve as a model for addressing other conflicts if it proves successful in Gaza.
While several countries have fully endorsed membership, others have expressed reservations. Italy said it was conditionally prepared to join, while Canada indicated preliminary approval. Germany said it was exploring ways to contribute without viewing the board as a substitute for the United Nations.
By contrast, France rejected joining, arguing that the charter is incompatible with United Nations resolutions. Norway and Sweden adopted the same position, while Russia and China have yet to make a final decision. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Turkey’s participation would be limited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, amid ongoing debate over the board’s powers and scope.
These developments come amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza following Israel’s military campaign launched in October 2023.
R.A
