Eight Countries Join Trumps Board of Peace Initiative

Eight countries across the Middle East and Asia have announced their intention to join the “board of peace” initiative led by US President Donald Trump, aimed at supporting reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip.

In a joint statement, foreign ministers from Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar expressed their support for the peace efforts led by President Trump. The board’s mission is to consolidate a permanent ceasefire, support the reconstruction of Gaza, and advance a just and lasting peace grounded in international law.

The announcement comes after the White House unveiled the makeup of the “board of peace”, which includes senior Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as well as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The board will oversee a Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with managing day-to-day affairs in Gaza.

Palestinians in Gaza have expressed concerns about the US-led mechanisms, citing ongoing deadly Israeli military attacks and restrictions on humanitarian aid. Observers have also raised questions about the composition of the “board of peace”, including the inclusion of several staunch Israel supporters and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu has confirmed his participation in the mechanism, despite facing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes committed in Gaza. A local resident, Abu Ramzi al-Sandawi, has rejected Netanyahu’s involvement, stating that he is “the leader of the war on Gaza”.

Source: Al Jazeera