The Proposed "Board of Peace" for Gaza Governance Sparks Debate Over International Control and Leadership

The comprehensive 20 point Gaza peace plan unveiled by President Donald J. Trump and agreed upon by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been met with significant and broadly positive reception from leaders across the Middle East and Europe. The proposal, which seeks to immediately end the protracted conflict, secure the release of all hostages, and establish a framework for Gaza’s post war governance and reconstruction, is being hailed in many capitals as a potential turning point toward lasting stability in the region.

Key to the widespread welcome is the plan’s focus on an immediate cessation of hostilities and a swift, mandatory release of hostages by Hamas within 72 hours of Israel’s public acceptance. This provision was particularly praised by European leaders. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly called on Hamas to agree to the plan, stating it would "end the misery, by laying down their arms and releasing all remaining hostages." French President Emmanuel Macron also voiced his support, welcoming the commitment to ending the war and securing the hostages’ freedom, adding that Hamas has "no choice but to immediately release all hostages and follow this plan." Italy's government similarly stated the proposal "could mark a turning point."

In the Middle East, the reception has been notably positive, with several key Arab and Muslim majority nations including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, and Indonesia issuing a joint statement welcoming Trump's "sincere efforts" and asserting their "confidence in his ability to find a path toward peace." Significantly, the Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs parts of the West Bank, also welcomed the plan, affirming its confidence in President Trump's efforts to end the war and pave the way for a just peace based on a two state solution. The plan calls for Gaza to be run by a temporary, technocratic Palestinian committee, overseen by an international "Board of Peace" to be chaired by President Trump and including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. This transitional arrangement is designed to facilitate the territory's reconstruction and eventual handover to a reformed Palestinian Authority.

Despite the positive endorsements from world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the successful implementation of the plan hinges on acceptance by Hamas, which has yet to formally respond. The proposal requires Hamas to disarm and relinquish any governance role in Gaza, a condition that the group has previously rejected. This major sticking point, alongside the plan’s vague timeline for Palestinian statehood which it only notes could be possible after PA reforms and Gaza’s redevelopment tempers the optimism on the ground in Gaza, where many residents remain skeptical about the proposal's viability and ultimate impact on their daily lives. The international support, however, exerts considerable pressure for the deal to move forward, positioning the next steps by the parties involved as critical for the future of the Israeli Palestinian conflict.