Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif receives Trump invitation to join Gaza Board of Peace

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been invited by US President Donald Trump to join the Gaza Board of Peace, according to a statement issued by a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The spokesperson said Pakistan would continue to engage with international initiatives aimed at restoring peace and security in Gaza, with the goal of achieving a durable resolution to the Palestine issue in line with United Nations resolutions.

Trump announced the formation of the Gaza “Board of Peace” on Thursday, describing it as a key element of the second phase of a US-backed plan to end the war in the Palestinian territory. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the board had been formed and that its members would be named shortly, calling it “the greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled.”

The creation of the board follows the recent announcement of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with overseeing the day-to-day administration of post-war Gaza. Trump said the committee would operate under the supervision of the Board of Peace, which he plans to chair himself.

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The broader plan also envisions the deployment of an International Stabilisation Force to help secure Gaza and train vetted Palestinian police units.

Reacting to the developments, senior Hamas leader Bassem Naim said the responsibility now lay with mediators, the US as guarantor, and the international community to enable the technocratic committee to function effectively.

The US-backed Gaza peace plan first came into effect on October 10, leading to the release of all hostages held by Hamas and a halt to fighting between the group and Israel. While the second phase of the plan is now under way, it has been overshadowed by allegations of continued aid shortages and violence. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry has said 451 people have been killed by Israeli forces since the ceasefire was announced.

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For Palestinians, a central concern remains Israel’s full military withdrawal from Gaza, which is outlined in the framework of the plan but lacks a clear timeline. Hamas has also declined to publicly commit to complete disarmament, a core demand from Israel.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff said in a Truth Social post that Washington expects Hamas to fully meet its obligations, a message later amplified by Trump. Trump also said the transitional Palestinian leadership he plans to appoint is committed to a peaceful future, adding that with the support of Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, the United States aims to secure a comprehensive demilitarisation agreement with Hamas, including the surrender of all weapons and the dismantling of tunnels.

Hamas has meanwhile begun preparations for internal elections to rebuild its leadership, which has been weakened by Israeli strikes during the war. A Hamas official told AFP that the vote is expected to take place in the first months of 2026.

With inputs from agencies