President Donald Trump (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Despite Hamas’ refusal to disarm and failure to return body of last hostage, president reportedly planning to announce establishment of Gaza Board of Peace to supervise Palestinian committee tasked with governing Gaza.
By World Israel News Staff
President Donald Trump will announce next week the establishment of the Gaza Board of Peace, four different sources have claimed, as the White House attempts to move forward with parts of the second phase of the Gaza peace deal despite unresolved core issues.
Under the terms of the 20-point October plan drafted by the Trump administration, Hamas was obliged to return all remaining hostages, dead and alive, by October 13.
However, difficulties in locating the remains of some of the slain hostages delayed their return, with the body of one hostage, slain police officer Ran Gvili, yet to be handed over to Israel.
In addition, Hamas has thus far refused to agree to a mechanism for overseeing its disarmament, with Hamas leaders publicly insisting that the terror group will only hand over its arsenal to a future Palestinian army once a state is established.
Hamas’ failures to live up to its obligations have prompted Israel to keep the Rafah crossing with Egypt closed, barring incoming and outgoing traffic, and has complicated US plans to deploy an international peacekeeping force to Gaza.
Despite these challenges, the US is said to be attempting to implement parts of the next phase of its Gaza plan, including the establishment of the administrative bodies which will be temporarily charged with governing Gaza, overseeing the transfer and distribution of aid, and organizing reconstruction efforts.
According to a report published by Axios Wednesday night, Trump is slated to announce the formation of the Board of Peace next week, with invitations already sent to countries that are expected to receive seats on the 15-member board.
President Trump will chair the new oversight committee, the US has said, with the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey expected to receive seats on the board.
Former United Nations envoy to the Middle East Nikolay Mladenov is expected to serve as the board’s liaison inside Gaza.
Mladenov is currently visiting Israel and is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later Thursday.
According to two US officials and two other sources cited in the report, the Board of Peace will likely convene its first meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos, which is scheduled for January 19 through 23.
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