Seven additional nations, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt, have confirmed their intention to join US President Donald Trump's newly formed Board of Peace, a multi-national body aimed at overseeing reconstruction and promoting stability in conflict zones. Their participation adds to Israel, which had earlier publicly committed to being part of the initiative.
On Wednesday evening, Trump announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin had also accepted the invitation. However, the Kremlin clarified that Russia was still reviewing the proposal, stating that Moscow sees its role mainly in relation to Middle East issues and is ready to provide $1 billion from frozen Russian assets.
The Board of Peace was initially understood to focus on resolving the two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and guiding reconstruction efforts. But the group's charter, a leaked copy shows, does not explicitly reference Gaza, and some analysts suggest it may be designed to function independently of the United Nations.
Saudi Arabia clarified that the new coalition of Muslim-majority states—including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Qatar—supports a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, humanitarian reconstruction, and what they call a "just and lasting peace."
At the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Trump told reporters, "He [Putin] was invited, he's accepted. Many people have accepted." Putin, however, responded cautiously, noting the invitation is under consideration.
The scope of countries invited to join the board remains unclear. Canada and the United Kingdom have not yet made public statements, while several other nations—including the UAE, Bahrain, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Morocco, and Vietnam—have confirmed participation.
The Vatican said Pope Leo received an invitation, but Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, indicated that the pontiff would need time to decide. Slovenia's Prime Minister Robert Golob, on the other hand, declined, stating the initiative "dangerously interferes with the broader international order."
The board's charter stipulates that it becomes active once three countries formally agree to its terms. Member states can hold renewable three-year terms, and permanent seats are offered to those contributing at least $1 billion. D
onald Trump serves as chairman and the US representative, with authority to appoint executive board members and establish or dissolve subsidiary groups.
Last Friday, the White House unveiled seven founding Executive Board members, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov has been appointed to represent the board in Gaza during its second phase, which includes reconstruction and demilitarisation. This phase is authorised by a UN Security Council resolution and is set to run until the end of 2027.
Israel, however, expressed concerns about the board's composition. Netanyahu's office said the plan "was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy," particularly regarding the inclusion of Turkey and Qatar—countries involved in brokering the October ceasefire alongside Egypt and the US.
Phase one of the peace plan saw Hamas and Israel agree on a ceasefire, an exchange of hostages and prisoners, a partial Israeli withdrawal, and a surge in humanitarian aid deliveries. Israel maintains that it will only proceed to phase two after Hamas returns the body of the last deceased hostage.
Phase two faces considerable obstacles. Hamas has resisted relinquishing weapons without the creation of an independent Palestinian state, while Israel has yet to commit to a full withdrawal from Gaza.
Humanitarian conditions remain difficult, with Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reporting more than 460 Palestinian deaths since the ceasefire, while Israeli authorities cite three soldier fatalities from Palestinian attacks.
The conflict began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel's military campaign in response resulted in more than 71,550 deaths in Gaza, according to local authorities.
