U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace has won commitments from seven more nations, enhancing its efforts to sustain the Gaza ceasefire and oversee reconstruction.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Qatar announced their support via a joint declaration from their foreign ministers, joining Israel and prior participants including the UAE, Bahrain, and others.
Last Friday, the White House unveiled the initial Executive Board, featuring Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
A leaked charter specifies activation after three ratifications, renewable three-year terms, and permanent seats for $1 billion contributors. Trump chairs the body as U.S. representative, with powers to appoint leaders and form subgroups.
At Davos, Trump claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin signed on. “He was invited, he’s accepted. Many people have accepted,” Trump said. Putin countered that Russia is reviewing it, pledging $1 billion from frozen assets for Palestinian aid.
Pope Leo received an invitation, but the Vatican requires time to decide. Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob declined, saying it “dangerously interferes with the broader international order.” Canada and the UK remain uncommitted.
Phase one secured a truce post the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack—1,200 Israeli deaths, 251 hostages—with exchanges, partial withdrawal, and aid boosts.
Phase two demands Hamas return the last dead hostage’s remains before rebuilding under UN mandate to 2027. Netanyahu criticised Turkey and Qatar’s inclusion as bypassing Israel, amid fragile calm with over 71,550 Palestinian deaths reported.