Washington D.C. – The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to announce the formation of a Gaza Peace Council in the coming days. According to sources within the administration, President Trump is expected to unveil the initiative next week, signaling a move towards the second phase of an agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.
The proposed council is intended to oversee the implementation of peace initiatives and facilitate reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip. Former UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, is reportedly being considered as the council’s representative on the ground.
This announcement comes amid ongoing tensions and accusations of violations of the existing ceasefire agreement. Hamas officials have recently accused Israel of escalating its violations, citing increased civilian casualties and territorial incursions in the Khan Younis area. The group further alleges that Israel continues to restrict aid access through the Rafah crossing, a violation of the terms agreed upon in the ceasefire.
Hamas has described these alleged breaches as a systematic policy designed to undermine the ceasefire agreement. They have called on mediators, guarantor states, and parties involved in previous Sharm el-Sheikh talks to exert pressure on Israel to cease these alleged violations.
Since the ceasefire went into effect last October, numerous violations have been reported, resulting in casualties and injuries among the Palestinian population. While the ceasefire brought an end to the devastating two-year conflict that began in October 2023, the path to lasting peace remains fragile. The conflict resulted in a staggering loss of life and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, with reconstruction costs estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars. The newly proposed Gaza Peace Council represents a potential step forward in addressing these challenges and fostering a more stable future for the region. The success of the council will depend on the cooperation of all parties involved and a commitment to upholding the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
