WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the Board of Peace for Gaza has been established, urging Hamas to return the final deceased hostage to Israel and start full demilitarization immediately.
"It is my Great Honor to announce that THE BOARD OF PEACE has been formed," Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social. "The Members of the Board will be announced shortly."
In a separate post, Trump said that as chairman of the board, "I am backing a newly appointed Palestinian Technocratic Government, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, supported by the Board's High Representative, to govern Gaza during its transition."
"These Palestinian leaders are unwaveringly committed to a PEACEFUL future!" he said.
Trump said the United States is working with Egypt, Türkiye and Qatar to secure a comprehensive demilitarization agreement with Hamas, including the surrender of all weapons and the dismantling of its tunnel network.
"Hamas must IMMEDIATELY honor its commitments, including the return of the final body to Israel, and proceed without delay to full Demilitarization," Trump said, warning that Hamas "can do this the easy way, or the hard way" but "time is NOW".
Trump's remarks came one day after his special envoy Steve Witkoff announced the launch of the second phase of the Gaza peace deal. Proposed by Trump in last September, the 20-point, three-phase peace plan focuses on demilitarization, technocratic governance and reconstruction of the conflict-torn Gaza Strip, and stipulates that the Board of Peace will be chaired by Trump himself.
Also on Wednesday, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye announced the completion of forming the Palestinian Technocratic Government, voicing hope that the committee will pave the way for the implementation of the second phase of the peace deal, and help to cement calm and prevent a return to escalation.
Local analysts said that Hamas's full demilitarization remains the central obstacle to implementing Phase Two, citing repeated accusations by both sides of ceasefire violations during the first phase.
Witkoff reiterated that the U.S. side expects Hamas to comply fully with its obligations, including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage, warning that failure to comply "will bring serious consequences."
Bishara Bahbah, a Palestinian American who played a key role in mediating between Hamas and the Trump administration, said Saturday that the first official meeting of the Board of Peace is expected to be held on the sidelines of the Davos meetings later this month. ■
