Trump Backs Transitional Palestinian Panel to Govern Gaza During Fragile Ceasefire

Post by : Saif Nasser

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he supports a new Palestinian-led panel that will govern Gaza during a transition period. His statement comes as the United States announced the start of a second phase of a ceasefire that began in October. While the ceasefire offers some hope, the situation in Gaza remains tense and uncertain.

According to Trump, the new body is called the Palestinian Technocratic Government, officially known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. This group is made up of Palestinian experts who are not linked to armed groups or political parties. Their task is to manage Gaza after months of devastating war and while longer-term political solutions are discussed.

Trump said the panel will be supervised by an international group known as the “Board of Peace.” He added that he will serve as the chair of this board, with its full list of members to be announced soon. The board is meant to oversee Gaza’s governance during the transition and ensure stability and order.

The plan was accepted in October by both Israel and Hamas as part of a ceasefire proposal put forward by the United States. Even so, the truce has been fragile from the start. Since it began, hundreds of Palestinians, including many children, and several Israeli soldiers have reportedly been killed in ongoing violence and alleged ceasefire violations.

The ceasefire has also faced other problems. Israel has delayed reopening a key border crossing with Egypt. Hamas has so far refused to disarm. The remains of one Israeli hostage have not yet been recovered. These issues continue to test trust on both sides.

The Palestinian technocratic panel will have 15 members and will be led by Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority. He previously worked on economic and industrial development projects. Mediators Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey said the panel’s leaders are focused on peace and rebuilding Gaza’s shattered civil life.

Trump also said these three countries will help push for a full disarmament agreement with Hamas. This is seen as one of the hardest challenges ahead. Any further Israeli withdrawal from Gaza is expected to depend on progress in disarmament and the possible deployment of international peacekeeping forces.

However, some experts have raised concerns. They argue that having a foreign leader chair a body overseeing Gaza’s governance could resemble outside control rather than true self-rule. These concerns highlight the deep sensitivity around Gaza’s future and Palestinian self-determination.

The war in Gaza has caused enormous suffering. Tens of thousands have been killed, most of the population has been displaced, and hunger has spread across the territory. While Israel says its actions were taken in self-defense after deadly attacks by Hamas in 2023, many international rights groups have strongly criticized the scale of destruction.

Trump’s backing of the transitional panel marks a new step in efforts to manage Gaza after the war. Whether this plan can bring lasting peace will depend on trust, cooperation, and real improvements in daily life for Palestinians living under extreme hardship.