Inside Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza

What’s happening:

• The US has invited at least eight more countries to join President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace — a US-led body designed to oversee the next phase of Gaza’s post-war transition, with ambitions that stretch well beyond the enclave.

Who’s in so far:

• Accepted: Hungary (Viktor Orbán), Vietnam (To Lam)
• Invited: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, China, Cyprus, Egypt, European Commission, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam
• The full list is expected to be announced soon, possibly at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Why it matters:

• The board signals a US attempt to re-centre global crisis management outside the UN, whose Security Council has been paralysed by vetoes over Gaza and weakened by funding cuts under Trump.
• Trump’s Board of Peace could become a parallel power centre to the UN — personalised, pay-to-join, and tightly controlled from the White House.

How it works:

• Members oversee Gaza’s second ceasefire phase: governance, security, Hamas disarmament and reconstruction.
• A $1-billion payment buys permanent membership; a three-year seat is free. Funds are earmarked for Gaza’s rebuilding.

• Trump chairs the board and holds sweeping powers, including veto authority, control over an executive body and the right to appoint his successor.

The catch:

• No Palestinians sit on the board, though it will supervise a Palestinian technocratic committee running Gaza’s services.
• France has declined, citing concerns over undermining the UN. Trump has threatened 200% tariffs on French wine in response.
• Israel has publicly objected to the board’s executive committee, calling it uncoordinated and contrary to Israeli policy.

Who runs day-to-day decisions:

• An executive committee including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Tony Blair, World Bank chief Ajay Banga — plus Qatari, Egyptian and Turkish representatives.

Russia factor:

• Vladimir Putin has been invited, despite Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. The Kremlin says it is “seeking clarification” before deciding.