Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Türkiye and Indonesia have announced their decision to join US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace for post-war Gaza. The move seeks to consolidate a ceasefire, scale up humanitarian aid and advance reconstruction under a UN-endorsed framework.
The so-called “Board of Peace” is chaired by Trump himself and is tasked with implementing “a Trump economic development plan” in Gaza.
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According to the FO statement, Pakistan’s decision is part of its continued support for the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803. The invitation to join the board was extended last week after the Trump administration reached out to several global figures and states to participate in bodies overseeing governance and reconstruction in post-war Gaza.
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President Trump is expected to formally unveil the first charter of the so-called Board of Peace on Thursday in Davos, Switzerland. The body, which reportedly requires a $1 billion fee for permanent membership, was initially conceived to supervise Gaza’s reconstruction. However, a draft of the charter reviewed by AFP suggests its mandate may extend beyond the Palestinian territory.
In its statement, the Foreign Office said Pakistan hopes the establishment of the Board of Peace will lead to tangible steps towards a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, a significant increase in humanitarian assistance for Palestinians, and the reconstruction of the war-ravaged enclave.
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Islamabad also stressed that these efforts should ultimately facilitate the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination through a credible, time-bound political process in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions. The FO reiterated Pakistan’s position that this process must result in an independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to playing a constructive role within the Board of Peace to help achieve these objectives and ease the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Meanwhile, the US-brokered ceasefire agreement announced in October has stalled beyond its initial phase, which saw a halt in major hostilities, partial Israeli troop withdrawals, and the release of hostages by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees and prisoners. Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued violations, with more than 460 Palestinians killed in clashes since October.
Future phases of the plan — still lacking a clear timetable — envision Hamas disarming, further Israeli withdrawals, and the installation of an internationally backed administration to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction.
Eight Muslim countries back Trump’s initiative
Separately, eight Muslim-majority countries — Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar — announced their decision to join the Trump-led Board of Peace.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the eight countries expressed support for President Trump’s peace initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to the Board of Peace’s mission as a transitional administration under the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, endorsed by UNSC Resolution 2803.
The statement said the initiative aims to consolidate a permanent ceasefire, support Gaza’s reconstruction, and advance a just and lasting peace rooted in Palestinian statehood and self-determination, in accordance with international law. Egypt, Pakistan, and the UAE have already formally announced their participation, with other countries to complete their respective legal procedures.
‘Board of Peace might replace UN’
A day earlier, President Trump suggested that the Board of Peace could potentially replace the United Nations, though he later clarified that the UN should be allowed to continue.
“The UN just hasn’t been very helpful,” Trump said during a briefing, adding that while he believes in the organisation’s potential, it has failed to live up to expectations.
The White House has named several individuals who will serve on the board, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British prime minister Tony Blair, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
A UN Security Council resolution adopted in mid-November authorised the Board of Peace and partner countries to establish an international stabilisation force in Gaza, where a fragile ceasefire came into effect in October.
However, observers warn that the initiative could undermine the UN’s authority. Human rights experts have also criticised the proposal, arguing that US oversight of a foreign territory resembles a colonial governance model. Tony Blair’s involvement has drawn further criticism due to his role in the Iraq war and Britain’s imperial legacy in the Middle East.
