CAIRO, Egypt: Turkiye and Egypt announced on Saturday that US President Donald Trump had invited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to join the Gaza ‘Board of Peace’.
The board is set to supervise the temporary governance of Gaza, which has been under a fragile ceasefire since October.
The White House said on Friday it had formed an executive panel tasked with implementing Trump’s Gaza peace plan, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, World Bank President Ajay Banga, former British prime minister Tony Blair and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
The panel will supervise portfolios ranging from governance and regional diplomacy to reconstruction financing and investment mobilisation.
On Saturday, the Turkish presidency stated that it had received a letter from Trump, inviting Erdogan to join the panel.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian foreign minister said during a press conference that Trump’s invitation was being reviewed.
Separately, former UK prime minister Blair said on Saturday he was “honoured” to be tapped by Trump to help rebuild Gaza.
“I thank President Trump for his leadership in establishing the Board of Peace and am honoured to be appointed to its Executive Board,” the veteran politician and former UN quartet Middle East envoy said in a statement.
According to the White House statement, the broader ‘Board of Peace’ will provide strategic oversight, coordinate international resources, and ensure accountability during Gaza’s transition from conflict to development.
The US also plans to deploy an international stabilisation force and appoint a high representative to coordinate governance, security and reconstruction efforts in Gaza under the transitional framework.
The announcement came amid continuing tensions on the ground, with Hamas still refusing to disarm and yet to return the remains of the final hostage — a key requirement of the first phase.
Although the ceasefire achieved in October has reduced large-scale hostilities, it has been punctuated by sporadic clashes and airstrikes, leaving the outlook for lasting peace uncertain.
