Trump Says Gaza “Board of Peace” Membership to Be Announced Early 2026 as Global Leaders Seek Seats

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the long-anticipated announcement of the Gaza “Board of Peace” will take place early next year, marking a delay from earlier expectations that the rollout would occur before Christmas.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump described the council—which will oversee postwar administration and stabilization efforts in Gaza—as an unprecedented gathering of global influence.

“Everyone wants to be part of the council,” Trump said. “It will be one of the most legendary councils ever—kings, heads of state, presidents. They all want to be on the Board of Peace.”

Trump added that the idea for a body composed of world leaders “was not planned this way,” noting that the administration originally envisioned appointing seasoned diplomats and specialists. But as interest from high-level leaders surged, the White House shifted course. “We did not think of it at first,” he said. “But it will be led by the most important countries.”

Delay Signals Broader Challenges in Gaza Peace Implementation

The President’s comments come amid mounting questions about the pace of implementing Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, which was endorsed by the UN Security Council last month. A senior State Department official told Israel’s Walla! news site that “remarkable progress” is underway behind the scenes and that additional announcements are expected in the coming weeks.

Still, US officials acknowledge that key components of the plan remain unresolved. Washington has struggled to secure commitments from nations to join the proposed International Stabilization Force, which is expected to replace the IDF in eastern Gaza once the cease-fire’s second phase begins. Conversations over Hamas’s disarmament—an Israeli requirement for reconstruction—are likewise still preliminary.

Last week, officials indicated they hoped to announce both the transition to Phase II and the “Board of Peace” lineup by Christmas. Trump’s remarks Wednesday effectively confirm that timetable will slip into early 2026.

Composition and Role of the Board

The Board of Peace is expected to include approximately 10 Arab and Western heads of state, according to Axios. It will operate alongside an executive committee that includes senior US envoy Steve Witkoff, presidential adviser Jared Kushner, and other officials from participating countries.

The board’s function will be primarily symbolic, US officials say, while the executive committee will supervise Gaza’s planned technocratic government and oversee civilian reconstruction.

Initially, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair had been positioned to chair the board. However, according to the Financial Times, Blair was removed from consideration following objections from several Arab and Muslim states.

“Everyone Wants to Be on It” — But No Confirmed Members Yet

Despite Trump’s characterization of global enthusiasm, no country has publicly confirmed its participation. When asked Wednesday whether he could reveal any member states, the President declined, saying only that the announcement will come “early next year.”

The Gaza Peace Council—also referred to by Trump as the “Board of Peace”—is one of the most closely watched components of the administration’s vision for stabilizing Gaza after more than two years of conflict. Its eventual unveiling is expected to shape the diplomatic landscape of the postwar Middle East.

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