Payam Javan: U.S. President Donald Trump on Jan. 22 released the charter of the newly established “Board of Peace,” marking a key step in the peace process between Israel and Hamas aimed at ending the war in Gaza. The announcement came on the final day of Trump’s visit, as the White House positioned the board as the central mechanism for managing Gaza’s post-war transition, governance, and reconstruction.

According to the White House, the Board of Peace will be chaired by Trump and include senior U.S. officials, international figures, and economic leaders. Its mandate includes strengthening governance capacity in Gaza, overseeing reconstruction, attracting investment, mobilizing large-scale funding, and managing regional relations. Dozens of countries have been invited to participate, underscoring the administration’s push for broad international involvement.

Speaking at a White House press conference on Jan. 20, Trump sharply criticized the United Nations, suggesting the Board of Peace could ultimately assume roles traditionally held by the U.N., though he stopped short of calling for its dissolution. “The U.N. has never lived up to its potential,” Trump said, while emphasizing that the new body is intended to ensure accountability and effective coordination during Gaza’s rebuilding phase.

The executive board will include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, and former U.N. Middle East envoy Nikolay Mladenov, who will serve as high representative for Gaza. A National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, led by Palestinian Authority official Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath, will work alongside the board. As part of the agreement, Hamas has committed to disarm, with Trump warning at the World Economic Forum in Davos that failure to comply would bring severe consequences, as he concluded his meetings before returning to Washington.