Trump says he plans to name Gaza Board of Peace early next year

By Steve Holland

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that an announcement about which world leaders will serve on the Gaza Board of Peace should be made early next year.

Trump told reporters during an economic event in the White House Roosevelt Room that a variety of leaders want to be on the board, which was established under a Gaza plan that set up a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants.

Trump said "the kings, the presidents, prime ministers - they all want to be on the Board of Peace." He said it should be announced in the new year.

"It'll be one of the most legendary boards ever. Everybody wants to be on it," he said.

A United Nations Security Council resolution adopted on November 17 authorized a Board of Peace and countries working with it to establish a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza.

The resolution, drafted by the U.S., described the Board of Peace as a transitional administration "that will set the framework, and coordinate funding for, the redevelopment of Gaza” in line with Trump’s 20-point peace plan.

It says the Board of Peace will operate “until such time as the Palestinian Authority (PA) has satisfactorily completed its reform program … and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza.”