Just hours before President Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ was set to hold its first session – an ambitious plan aimed at resolving the conflict in Gaza – diplomats at the United Nations Security Council voiced deep concerns. Their discussions centered on Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, the critical lack of humanitarian aid reaching the region, and Israel’s escalating military operations and settlement expansion across the occupied West Bank.
Against a backdrop of mounting criticism regarding the situation on the ground and skepticism from various nations about the Board of Peace’s expanding authority, U.S. Ambassador Michael Waltz stood firm. He reminded the Council that they themselves had approved Mr. Trump’s comprehensive 20-point peace proposal for Gaza, which included the establishment of this very board, in a vote back in November.
“We hear the critics dismissing the board’s unconventional and unprecedented structure,” Ambassador Waltz stated. “But the old methods simply weren’t producing results. Our options were clear: allow Hamas to maintain control and Gaza to remain under occupation, or forge a new path forward.”
This peace framework outlines several key objectives: the complete demilitarization of the Gaza enclave, the disarmament of Hamas, and the deployment of an international stabilization force to ensure security. Ultimately, the goal is the full and complete withdrawal of Israel’s military from the region.
Ambassador Waltz revealed that during its Washington meeting on Thursday, the Board of Peace intends to commit $5 billion towards Gaza’s reconstruction and rehabilitation. This figure, however, pales in comparison to the United Nations’ own estimate, which places the rebuilding costs for the devastated territory at over $50 billion.
Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN’s top official for political and peace-building affairs, addressed the Council, noting that after years of relentless conflict and immense suffering, the Middle East now has a chance for a new direction, with the Board of Peace meeting marking a significant step. Yet, she cautioned, true peace remains frustratingly out of reach on the ground.
“The comprehensive U.S.-backed plan must be fully executed,” Ms. DiCarlo urged, “and it must be accompanied by immediate efforts to de-escalate tensions and reverse the alarming course of events unfolding in the occupied West Bank.”
Just weeks prior, Israel had enacted measures making it simpler for Jewish settlers to acquire land, effectively undermining the Palestinian Authority’s influence in areas of the West Bank it governs.
The high-profile Wednesday meeting convened a diverse group of international leaders, including Britain’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and the foreign ministers from Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia, and Pakistan. Many of these officials are also slated to attend the upcoming Board of Peace session. Notably, the Security Council meeting itself had been rescheduled from Thursday after Mr. Trump declared his intention to host his peace board on that very day.
While more than twenty-four nations have pledged their participation in the Board of Peace, several key European allies of the United States, including Britain, France (both permanent members of the Security Council), and Germany, have opted out. Their hesitations stem from concerns about the board’s broad mandate, which appears to extend far beyond Gaza. Diplomats have openly voiced worries that Mr. Trump’s initiative could be an attempt to establish a competing body to the Security Council, whose core mission is global peace and stability.
Numerous crucial aspects of the peace plan remain uncertain. These include the complex tasks of disarming Hamas, demilitarizing Gaza, guaranteeing the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and establishing an international peacekeeping presence. Hamas, for its part, has shown significant resistance to relinquishing its weaponry.
According to Ms. Cooper, the fragile Gaza cease-fire has seen numerous breaches from both factions, tragically resulting in the deaths of 600 Palestinians. These violations, she highlighted, severely jeopardize the initial stage of Mr. Trump’s peace proposal.
She further announced Britain’s intention to host a peace-building conference in March. This event aims to gather Israeli and Palestinian civil society representatives, fostering trust and charting a course toward a two-state solution. Ms. Cooper emphasized, “Palestine’s future must be determined and governed by Palestinians.”
On Tuesday, the Security Council, with the sole exception of the United States, joined forces with over 70 other nations and Palestinian U.N. representative Riyad Mansour to issue a strong condemnation of Israel’s actions in the West Bank. Their collective statement vehemently opposed any annexation of the territory and called for Israel to reverse its current policies.
“Palestine is the homeland of the Palestinian people. It is not available for seizure, nor is it for sale. It is certainly not a land devoid of its rightful inhabitants,” Mr. Mansour declared before the Council. He asserted that Israel’s ultimate objective is to displace the Palestinian population and annex their territories, noting that while “the methods and speed have drastically escalated,” the underlying goals remain unchanged.
In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar presented a historical claim to the Council, stating that the lands of Israel have always belonged to the Jewish people. He produced a 2,500-year-old jug handle and a coin as evidence of Jewish ancestral ties to the region, including Judea Samaria, which is the term some Israelis use for the West Bank. Saar insisted that any future peace agreement must ensure the continued presence of Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
“The truth is clear: we are the indigenous people of the land of Israel,” Mr. Saar argued. “How can the presence of Jews in our ancient homeland be considered a violation of international law?”
Meanwhile, U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric confirmed on Wednesday that the United Nations would not have official representation at the Board of Peace meeting. He clarified, however, that the UN is actively collaborating with the board on humanitarian efforts in Gaza, sharing vital information. Dujarric added that the UN’s chief for humanitarian affairs, Tom Fletcher, was indeed invited but was unable to attend due to a prior scheduling engagement.