Turkey, Saudi Arabia and several other predominantly Muslim countries have agreed to join the U.S.-led Gaza Board of Peace, following an invitation from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The decision was announced in a joint statement by the foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, who said their countries had collectively accepted the invitation to participate in the board.
The United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Pakistan had earlier confirmed their participation separately.
According to the statement, the ministers reaffirmed “their countries’ commitment to supporting the implementation of the mission of the Board of Peace as a transitional administration in the Gaza Strip.”
They said the board’s mandate is outlined in the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict and is endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803.
So far, 60 countries have received invitations to join the Board of Peace, which forms part of the second phase of Trump’s peace initiative for Gaza. The territory has been largely devastated by the prolonged war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
However, some European nations, including Germany and France, have adopted a cautious approach and have yet to fully commit to the initiative.
Diplomats familiar with the board’s charter describe it as a direct challenge to the United Nations, an institution Trump has frequently criticised as ineffective. There are also indications that the U.S. government intends to significantly expand the board’s mandate beyond Gaza, potentially positioning it to address conflicts and crises in other parts of the world. (dpa/NAN)
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