Seven countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt have announced their willingness to join US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace, according to a joint statement. These nations will join Israel, which has already confirmed its participation.
On Wednesday evening, Trump claimed that Vladimir Putin had accepted his invitation to join, although the Russian leader stated that his country is still contemplating the offer.
The board was initially proposed to aid in ending the two-year war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and to supervise reconstruction. However, its charter does not mention the Palestinian territories and seems designed to replace functions typically managed by the UN.
Nonetheless, Saudi Arabia noted that the coalition of Muslim-majority countries—including Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Qatar—supports the goal of achieving a lasting ceasefire in Gaza while also promoting reconstruction and fostering what they describe as a just and lasting peace.
At the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Trump remarked that many countries have accepted the invitation, including Putin, who suggested a readiness to allocate $1 billion from frozen Russian assets for Middle Eastern developments. However, Putin maintained that Russia is still considering the invitation.
The total number of countries invited remains unclear. While Canada and the UK have also been mentioned, they have yet to respond publicly. The UAE, Bahrain, and several others have signed on to the initiative.
Also, the Vatican addressed receiving an invitation for Pope Leo to join, although Cardinal Pietro Parolin explained that the Pope would need adequate time to assess the participation.
Conversely, Slovenia's Prime Minister Robert Golob declined the invitation, criticizing the board for potentially undermining broader international order.
A leaked document indicates that the board's charter will take effect once three states formally commit to it, with members having renewable three-year terms and permanent seats available for nations contributing significantly to the board’s initiatives.
This board has already named several board members, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, alongside former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov has been designated as the board's representative in Gaza, focusing on phases involving reconstruction and demilitarization, supported by a UN Security Council resolution effective until the end of 2027.
Challenges loom particularly for the second phase of the peace plan, which has seen ceasefire agreements and humanitarian aid flows faced complications due to ongoing violence. The fragile ceasefire remains under threat, as approximately 460 Palestinians have been reported killed since its initiation alongside ongoing hostilities from both sides that continue to undermine trust in the board's efficacy.
