Trump invites countries to join new 'Board of Peace' to oversee Gaza cease-fire

President Trump has sent letters inviting numerous countries to join a newly created “Board of Peace” meant to oversee the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, with invitees including Canada, France, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Belarus. The board was described in Mr.

Trump’s plan as an international transitional body to help supervise Gaza’s rebuilding, and a U.N. Security Council resolution drafted by the United States in November later endorsed the board and gave it a mandate to help recruit international peacekeepers until the Palestinian Authority carried out reforms.

After the administration circulated the board’s charter, it became clear the body’s remit could extend beyond Gaza: the charter, according to a copy shared with The New York Times, said the Board of Peace would “secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.” Critics said the proposal risked creating an American-dominated rival to the United Nations.

The charter would give Mr. Trump wide powers as chairman, including naming an Executive Board, significant veto authority and the ability to name his successor, and would ask countries to pay more than $1 billion for permanent membership. Two subcommittees, including a Gaza Executive Board that the White House named, are already in place; that group includes Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, Qatari and Egyptian officials and an Israeli businessman, a composition that drew criticism from Israel.

Key Topics

World, Gaza, Donald Trump, Israel, Hamas, United Nations