Trump’s Board of Peace plan draws global attention and criticism

United States President Donald Trump has announced that his Board of Peace has secured an agreement aimed at the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, along with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory. Trump described the agreement as a historic breakthrough and said it would be carried out in stages, with Israeli troops leaving Gaza as disarmament progresses.

The Board of Peace was first proposed by Trump in September last year as part of his plan to end the war in Gaza. He later expanded the initiative, saying it would also work to address conflicts in other parts of the world. The board is intended to coordinate peace efforts and oversee reconstruction projects, a role that has traditionally been led by the United Nations.

According to its charter, countries joining the board normally serve three year terms. However, nations that contribute one billion dollars toward its activities are eligible for permanent membership. Trump serves as chairman of the initiative and has broad executive authority, including the power to veto decisions and remove members under certain conditions.

The White House named Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and presidential adviser Jared Kushner as members of the board’s founding executive team.

More than two dozen countries have joined the initiative. Alongside the United States, members include Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar, all of which have played important roles in recent Middle East diplomacy. Other participating countries include Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Outside the region, Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cambodia, El Salvador, Hungary, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Pakistan, Paraguay, Uzbekistan and Vietnam have also joined.

Several major countries and international partners have declined to participate. Britain, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden and the European Union have all decided not to join the initiative. Brazil, Mexico, India and South Africa have also remained outside the board, while China and Russia have chosen not to participate. The Vatican has argued that responsibility for handling international conflicts should remain with the United Nations. Canada also lost its invitation after a diplomatic disagreement between Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier this year.

The Board of Peace received international recognition after the United Nations Security Council approved a United States drafted resolution acknowledging its temporary role in Gaza. Under the resolution, the board will coordinate funding for reconstruction and oversee a temporary international stabilisation force in Gaza through 2027. It must also report its progress to the Security Council every six months. China and Russia abstained from the vote, saying the resolution did not clearly define the United Nations’ role in Gaza’s future administration.

Despite official backing, the initiative has attracted widespread criticism from human rights organisations and political observers. Critics argue that the board resembles a colonial style governing structure because it is designed to supervise Gaza without including Palestinian representatives. They have also questioned the inclusion of Tony Blair because of his role in the Iraq war and criticised the participation of countries with poor human rights records.

The decision to include Israel on a body responsible for overseeing Gaza has generated additional controversy. Opponents argue that Israel’s ongoing military campaign has left much of Gaza destroyed and displaced its population. Israel maintains that its military actions were carried out in self defence following the Hamas attack in 2023 that killed around 1,200 people and resulted in more than 250 hostages being taken.

Since its launch, the Board of Peace has focused mainly on plans for rebuilding Gaza. Trump said member countries have already pledged around seven billion dollars toward reconstruction, although experts estimate that restoring the territory after more than two years of conflict could cost as much as 70 billion dollars. The board has also reportedly held discussions with international companies on future infrastructure and supply chain projects as planning for Gaza’s recovery continues.