by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff
(Worthy News) – US President Donald Trump is preparing to unveil Gaza’s long-awaited “Board of Peace” and formally announce the transition to phase two of Washington’s Gaza stabilization plan within the next three weeks, Axios and additional US and regional officials said Thursday. The move would mark the most significant diplomatic step since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect nearly two months ago.
Officials say the administration is working to finalize the framework before the holiday recess. “All of the different elements are pretty well advanced,” a Western source told Axios. “The moment of truth will come in the next few weeks.”
A New Governance Structure: The “Board of Peace”
The proposed Board of Peace will include roughly 10 Arab and Western leaders and sit above an international executive board composed of former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Jared Kushner, US envoy Steve Witkoff, and senior representatives from participating nations.
Under the US plan, Hamas must relinquish control of Gaza and begin a phased disarmament, starting with heavy weapons before eventually surrendering lighter arms. Mediators–Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey–continue pressing Hamas to accept the arrangement, though the terror group publicly rejects foreign oversight bodies and insists it will not give up its weapons.
Israel, meanwhile, opposes a gradual approach and demands complete disarmament before agreeing to withdraw forces.
Phase Two and the International Stabilization Force (ISF)
A US official confirmed that Trump aims to announce phase two in approximately two weeks, though final participation details remain under review. If Hamas agrees to the disarmament plan and Israel signs off, the International Stabilization Force could deploy in early 2026.
Key elements include:
• ISF troops initially deploying along Gaza’s central “Yellow Line,” replacing IDF units as the boundary pulls eastward.
• Long-term responsibility for border security, humanitarian corridors, and overseeing Hamas’s disarmament.
• Possible troop contributions from Indonesia and Azerbaijan–though announcements are delayed due to Israel’s rejection of Turkish involvement.
Washington continues urging Israel to allow Turkey some role, arguing its presence would deter Hamas from attacking the ISF. Israel has refused, citing Ankara’s support for Hamas and President Erdogan’s incendiary rhetoric.
Technocratic Palestinian Governance
Gaza’s interim civil administration would be handled by a committee of 12-15 Palestinian technocrats with no affiliation to Hamas or Fatah. These business and management professionals–either current or former Gaza residents–would oversee daily governance.
Above them, Tony Blair and senior US advisers would manage international coordination. Oversight of the entire system would fall to the Board of Peace led by Trump and other global leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“In the coming weeks, we will reach the moment of truth,” a US official told Israel’s Channel 12. “Hamas will have to decide whether to give up its rule and begin disarming in exchange for an IDF withdrawal–or refuse and face the consequences.”
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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