|
Brighty Ann Sarah
23 January 2026 |
The note below was first published as part of NIAS-IPRI Conflict Weekly. See, "Trump’s “Board of Peace” in Gaza I Escalation/De-escalation in Greenland," Conflict Weekly #316, 23 January 2026, Vol 7, No. 3
In the news
On 21 January, President Trump warned that Hamas has three weeks to surrender their weapons, or the group will “be blown away…That's what they agreed to. They've got to do it.”
On 21 January, in Gaza, the Israeli forces ordered dozens of Palestinian families in the southern Gaza Strip to leave their homes in the first forced evacuation since the October ceasefire. Israeli tank shelling across Gaza also killed 13 people including journalists and children. On 20 January, Israel demolished structures inside the UN Palestinian refugee agency's East Jerusalem compound which the agency condemned as a violation of international law.
On 16 January, President Trump announced the formation of the Gaza “Board of Peace,” shortly after the announcement of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee. He remarked that it would be “the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place.”
Issues at large
First, the long-drawn post-ceasefire plans and unfulfilled phase one commitments. The phase one, which commenced with the establishment of the ceasefire in October 2025 remains to be fully achieved. The phase one included an immediate and sustained halt to all hostilities, a hostage-prisoner exchange, Israeli military withdrawal to agreed boundaries demarcated as the “Yellow Line,” full reopening of the Rafah crossing and unrestricted two-way movement, and the increased and unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave.
Second, the persisting Israeli ceasefire violations and Hamas’ resistance. The core objective of phase two of the peace plan is the complete disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of the enclave. The ceasefire has been consistently threatened by mutual violations and escalating hostilities. Israel also maintains control over nearly 53 per cent of Gaza's territory beyond the "Yellow Line" with no substantial withdrawal and enforces severe restrictions over aid movement. Hamas, while returning all living hostages and 27 of 28 deceased remains, has delayed the final body's handover and is accused of sporadic provocations. The group has also deepened its political consolidation in pockets across the enclave. Hamas maintains its demands for Israeli withdrawal, an end to occupation, and credible progress toward Palestinian statehood.
Third, the intentions and complexities of the Board of Peace and the technocratic committee. According to its charter, the Board of Peace, would be chaired by President Trump, with an Executive Board appointed by him. He also holds the right to veto decisions, drive the agenda, dissolve the board and designate the successor. The Board was intended to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, but the charter notably lacks any mention of the enclave and positions itself as an international organisation with a global mandate to promote stability and “secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.” This marks a significant shift from the mandate of the board approved by the UN Security Council in November 2025 which pertained exclusively to Gaza. Washington has also invited several countries, while permanent membership mandates a USD 1 billion payment towards the operations of the board and the reconstruction of the region.
Fourth, mixed international reception to Trump's Board of Peace. The invitation to join the Board had been extended to nearly 60 countries, including India, Pakistan, China and Russia. While several countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, UAE, Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Israel have accepted the invitation, several key Western states have rejected participation. France declined the invite, stating that it “raises serious questions, in particular with respect to the principles and structure of the United Nations, which cannot be called into question.” Norway and Sweden also joined in rejecting the invite citing concerns over the board supplanting the UN. Germany also raised concerns over Trump’s predetermined authorities on the board, while the UK expressed reservations over its makeup. China also rejected the invitation and reiterated its commitment to the principles of the UN, while Russia has yet to make a public statement.
In perspective
First, the lukewarm response to the Board, by both the growing tension between Washington and its European allies, and concerns over the overarching powers of the chairman. Most countries have expressed reluctance to endorse the board as it appears to encroach on the role of the UN.
Second, the implementation of the second phase is challenged by mutual resistance from Hamas and Israel. As Israel and Hamas have persistently rejected the main terms, and the ceasefire marked by violations, the progress of the second phase is likely to be an arduous process and even risks the renewal of intense conflict.
