Trump unveils ‘Board of Peace’ as US moves to Phase Two of Gaza plan

Shifting the focus from ceasefire arrangements to demilitarisation, governance and reconstruction, Trump said the United States had “officially entered the next phase” of the Gaza plan after what he described as unprecedented levels of humanitarian aid during the truce period.

“Since the ceasefire, my team has helped deliver record levels of humanitarian aid to Gaza, reaching civilians at historic speed and scale,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, claiming even the United Nations had acknowledged the effort as unprecedented.

Announcing the new body, Trump said, “It is my great honor to announce that THE BOARD OF PEACE has been formed.” While the members are yet to be named, he added that it would be “the greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled.”

In a subsequent post, Trump said US special envoy Steve Witkoff had confirmed the start of Phase Two, under which a newly appointed Palestinian technocratic administration — the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza — would govern the territory during a transition period. The committee, he said, would operate with the backing of the Board of Peace and its High Representative.

“As Chairman of the Board of Peace, I am backing a newly appointed Palestinian technocratic government to govern Gaza during its transition,” Trump wrote, describing the new leadership as “unwaveringly committed to a peaceful future.”

The president said the US, working with Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, would seek a “comprehensive demilitarisation agreement” with Hamas, including the surrender of all weapons and the dismantling of its tunnel network.

“Hamas must immediately honor its commitments, including the return of the final body to Israel, and proceed without delay to full demilitarisation,” Trump said, warning that the group could comply “the easy way or the hard way.” He added that Gaza’s civilians had “suffered long enough,” invoking his oft-used phrase, “peace through strength.”

Envoy Steve Witkoff later confirmed that Phase Two would focus on Gaza’s reconstruction and complete demilitarisation, including the disarmament of Hamas and other armed Palestinian factions.

“The US expects Hamas to comply fully with its obligations,” Witkoff said, noting that failure to do so would carry “serious consequences.”

Phase One of the plan, agreed in October, included a ceasefire, a hostage–prisoner exchange, a partial Israeli military withdrawal and a sharp increase in humanitarian aid deliveries.

Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who worked closely with Witkoff as a special adviser on Middle East affairs, welcomed the announcement.

However, analysts note that major hurdles remain. Hamas has consistently refused to disarm without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, while Israel has not committed to a full withdrawal from Gaza — two positions that could complicate the implementation of Phase Two.