A former United Nations envoy expected to play a key role in U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace for Gaza” held talks with senior Palestinian leaders on Friday, as Washington presses ahead with the next phase of its plan for the war-torn enclave. Nickolay Mladenov, a former U.N. Middle East peace envoy, met Palestinian Authority (PA) official Hussein al-Sheikh in Ramallah to discuss Gaza’s situation and pathways toward implementing the second phase of Trump’s proposal, which envisions a transitional governing body for Gaza.
Trump is expected to announce the board’s composition later this month. The initiative follows a fragile first phase that included a ceasefire and hostage releases but has since been undermined by renewed Israeli airstrikes, disputes over Hamas disarmament, and delays in reopening Gaza’s Rafah crossing. The second phase would involve the establishment of the Board of Peace and a potential deployment of peacekeeping forces, though details remain unresolved.
Earlier this week, Mladenov met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, where Israel reiterated its demand that Hamas be disarmed and Gaza demilitarised. While Israel rejects Hamas’ future role in Gaza, it has also opposed governance by the Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas. Under Trump’s plan, the PA would eventually assume control from the Board of Peace, as Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens with most of its population displaced and living amid widespread destruction.
Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright
