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International Governing Body for Gaza to Be Announced by Year’s End
An international body charged with governing the Gaza Strip under the next phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire is expected to be announced before the end of 2024, according to an Arab official and Western diplomat who spoke on Friday.
The authority, known as the Board of Peace and set to be chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump, will oversee Gaza’s reconstruction under a two-year renewable United Nations mandate. The board will include approximately twelve Middle Eastern and Western leaders, said the sources, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as they weren’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
A committee of Palestinian technocrats who will handle day-to-day administration of post-war Gaza is also expected to be announced. According to the Western diplomat, speaking from Cairo, this announcement will likely coincide with an upcoming meeting between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later this month.
The ceasefire agreement additionally calls for the deployment of an armed International Stabilization Force to maintain security and ensure the disarmament of Hamas, a key Israeli demand throughout peace negotiations.
These announcements would mark significant progress in implementing Trump’s 20-point plan for the territory, which has been devastated by Israel’s two-year military campaign against Hamas. The current ceasefire, which took effect on October 10, has been punctuated by occasional violence and mutual accusations of violations. The first phase is nearly complete, though Hamas has yet to return the remains of one final Israeli hostage as required under the agreement.
Deployment of the international force is expected to begin in early 2026, according to both the Arab official and a U.S. official who provided a similar timeline for “boots on the ground.” The news outlet Axios was first to report on the anticipated announcement on Thursday.
“Extensive talks” will begin immediately with Hamas and Israel regarding the second phase of the ceasefire plan, which the Arab official expects to be challenging. A major focus will be Hamas disarmament, something the militant group has not yet agreed to. The plan also requires Israeli forces to withdraw from approximately half of Gaza as international forces deploy.
Funding for Gaza’s reconstruction remains undetermined. Some Palestinians have expressed concerns about their apparent lack of representation in the governing body and the absence of firm commitments to Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu’s government has consistently rejected the creation of a Palestinian state, and the U.S.-brokered deal includes only vague language suggesting a pathway toward statehood might be possible if certain conditions are met.
A significant development came Wednesday when Israel announced plans to reopen the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in the coming days. This would allow Palestinians to leave Gaza as outlined in the ceasefire agreement—potentially a crucial change for residents who have faced extreme difficulties leaving the territory throughout most of the war.
However, the governments of Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar expressed “deep concern” about Israel’s implementation plan on Friday. A dispute has emerged between Egypt and Israel, with Cairo insisting Palestinians must be allowed to return to Gaza through the crossing, while Israel has stated Palestinians cannot return until the last hostage’s remains are recovered.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of these eight nations stressed that the Rafah crossing must operate in both directions to allow “freedom of movement” for Palestinians. They also voiced concerns that Palestinians leaving Gaza might be prevented from returning, underscoring “their absolute rejection of any attempts to expel the Palestinian people from their land.”
Violence continues to threaten the fragile peace. On Friday, Israel’s military reported killing a man in northern Gaza who was approaching troops while carrying what they described as “suspicious objects.” Israeli forces also killed a 38-year-old man in the occupied West Bank who allegedly threw a rock at soldiers, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
These incidents add to the ongoing violence in Palestinian territories that threatens to undermine Gaza’s ceasefire. The Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has resulted in more than 70,100 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, whose records are generally considered reliable by the international community.
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12 Comments
The announcement of an international governing body for Gaza is a significant step, but many challenges remain. I hope this leads to real improvements for the people there, not just political posturing.
Agreed. The true test will be whether this body can deliver tangible benefits and meaningful change on the ground. Careful monitoring and accountability will be essential.
Governing Gaza is a daunting task, but an international approach may be necessary to break the cycle of conflict. I’m curious to see the composition and mandate of this new authority.
Yes, the makeup of this governing body will be crucial. It needs to balance the interests of all stakeholders and avoid being perceived as an imposition from the outside.
This is a complex issue without easy solutions. An international body may bring more resources and impartiality, but ensuring local buy-in and avoiding pitfalls will require careful diplomacy.
Agreed. Striking the right balance between security, reconstruction, and self-governance will be challenging. Transparency and inclusive dialogue will be key.
Interesting development in the Gaza situation. An international governing body could help facilitate reconstruction and security, but the details will be crucial. I wonder how the Palestinians will view this and what role Hamas will play.
You’re right, the composition and mandate of this new authority will be critical. It needs to balance security concerns with the needs of the local population.
Governing Gaza is a daunting task. I hope this new international body can pave the way for a more stable and prosperous future for the people there. But the devil will be in the details.
Absolutely. The success of this initiative will hinge on how it is implemented and whether it can gain the trust of all stakeholders. Careful planning is essential.
This is an important development, but I’m skeptical about how effective an outside governing body will be. The local dynamics and power structures need to be understood and incorporated.
Good point. Sustainable solutions require genuine local participation and ownership. Imposing an external authority risks creating more resentment and instability.