What to
Know About Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza
Numerous
countries say they have been invited to join President Trump’s newly minted
organization, which critics say could undermine the United Nations.
By Aaron
Boxerman and Isabel Kershner
Reporting
from Jerusalem
Published
Jan. 19, 2026
Updated
Jan. 20, 2026, 1:12 a.m. ET
When
President Trump said he planned to establish and lead a “Board of Peace” to
oversee the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, many did not know what
to make of it.
On
Friday, letters went out asking countries to join the newly minted body, among
them U.S. allies like Canada, France, Britain, and Saudi Arabia. But Russia and
Belarus, hardly allies, were also on the list.
And a
review of the body’s charter — which governments received alongside their
invitations — suggested that Mr. Trump hopes the Board of Peace could get
involved in all kinds of global conflicts, not just the one in the Gaza Strip.
Critics
reacted furiously, saying the Trump administration appeared to be setting up
the board as a potential American-dominated rival to the United Nations, which
Mr. Trump has long accused of liberal bias and waste.
As
chairman, Mr. Trump would have considerable influence over the Board of Peace.
With countries being asked to pay more than $1 billion for permanent
membership, its budget could be substantial, though it is unclear how much
control Mr. Trump would have over how the money is spent.
The
presence of Turkey and Qatar on one of the board’s subcommittees also prompted
an immediate outcry from Israel, which has been at odds with the Turkish
government, particularly over the war in Gaza.
Here’s
what we know so far about the Board of Peace.
What is
its mission?
Initially,
the board appeared to be part of Mr. Trump’s vision for postwar Gaza.
His plan
called the board a “new international transitional body” that would help
supervise the rebuilding of the Palestinian enclave. The board’s members would
include world leaders, with Mr. Trump sitting at the head of the table.
The
United Nations Security Council later formally backed the board in a
U.S.-drafted resolution in November, giving it the force of international
legitimacy.
The
resolution gave the board a mandate to work with governments to recruit
international peacekeepers for Gaza. It was to carry out Mr. Trump’s plan in
Gaza until the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority conducted
reforms, the resolution said.
But after
the United States circulated the board’s charter on Friday, it became clear
that Mr. Trump envisions a much bigger role for the body.
The
proposed charter said the Board of Peace would “secure enduring peace in areas
affected or threatened by conflict,” not just Gaza, according to a copy shared
with The New York Times. It also called for “a more nimble and effective
international peace-building body.”
Who’s
been invited? Who will join?
The list
of invitees includes Britain, Jordan, Russia and more. But so far, only a
handful — like the pro-Trump Argentine president, Javier Milei, and Prime
Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary — have said they will join.
Despite
overseeing Gaza, neither the Board of Peace nor a Gaza Executive Board
underneath it have any Palestinian members as yet.
The board
is, however, to oversee the work of a group of Palestinian technocrats charged
with administering public services in Gaza. Analysts say they will face a
formidable challenge, given that Gaza is still split between areas under
Israeli and Hamas control.
Some
countries appear skeptical. To acquire a permanent seat on the Board of Peace,
each would have to pay more than a billion dollars in cash within the first
year to fund the body’s operations. (Countries can join for three years for
free.)
The
charter would invest considerable personal power in Mr. Trump as chairman. It
says that he will name members of a second “Executive Board” to carry out the
board’s decisions, and that Mr. Trump would wield considerable veto power over
its actions. He would also be able to name his own successor.
Mr. Trump
would also be permitted to enact “resolutions or other directives” to carry out
the board’s mission, and to “create, modify or dissolve subsidiary entities.”
France
does not currently intend to join, as the board’s charter raises serious
questions about respecting the role of the United Nations, said a senior French
official. In response, Mr. Trump threatened to impose 200 percent tariffs on
French wine and Champagne if President Emmanuel Macron declines his invitation.
President
Vladimir Putin of Russia has been invited to join the board as well, Mr. Trump
said.
It
remains unclear how many countries will pay the fee to become permanent
members, as opposed to accepting the optional three-year term for free.
How will
the board work in Gaza?
It is not
exactly clear how much oversight the Board of Peace will exert over Gaza and
for how long. But two subcommittees reporting to Mr. Trump’s board have already
been set up to carry out his Gaza peace plan.
Last
week, the White House named a “Gaza Executive Board” that includes Jared
Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, and Steve Witkoff, Mr. Trump’s envoy. The
group also has Qatari and Egyptian officials, as well as an Israeli
businessman.
In a rare
public break with Mr. Trump, Israel criticized the makeup of the committee,
particularly the presence of Qatar and Turkey. Both countries helped mediate
between Israel and Hamas to secure the Gaza cease-fire, but Israeli officials
have accused them of being too close to Hamas.
Ségolène
Le Stradic and Francesca Regalado contributed reporting.
Aaron
Boxerman is a Times reporter covering Israel and Gaza. He is based in
Jerusalem.
Isabel
Kershner, a senior correspondent for The Times in Jerusalem, has been reporting
on Israeli and Palestinian affairs since 1990.
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