BEIJING – A senior official from the Canadian government announced that Prime Minister Mark Carney has received an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to join the newly formed “Board of Peace.” This board is tasked with aiding in the administration, reconstruction, and economic recovery of Gaza following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The announcement of Carney’s involvement came during his visit to Beijing, where he was engaged in discussions with Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping.
Initially, Carney's name was not featured in the first list of executive board members released by the White House. The initial members included notable figures such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East. However, the White House indicated that more members would be announced in the upcoming weeks.
The Canadian official conveyed that Carney intends to accept Trump's invitation. The Board of Peace was established as a component of Trump’s peace plan, aimed at securing stability in the region after the recent conflict. The ceasefire took effect on October 10, leading to the withdrawal of Israeli troops from various parts of Gaza and allowing thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes.
The establishment of the Palestinian governance committee, which will operate under U.S. supervision, occurred recently during its first meeting in Cairo. The committee is led by Ali Shaath, an engineer and a former Palestinian Authority official from Gaza. Shaath committed to addressing immediate needs such as shelter and infrastructure, estimating that the reconstruction and recovery process would take about three years. He emphasized the Palestinian people’s anticipation for the committee's work, highlighting the urgency of their situation.
Trump expressed support for this governance committee, which is intended to manage Gaza following the two-year war between Israel and Hamas. The administration faces substantial challenges ahead, including the deployment of an international security force to oversee the ceasefire and the complex task of disarming Hamas.
Under the proposed plan by Trump, Shaath's technocratic committee is designated to handle day-to-day operations within Gaza, while the Board of Peace will supervise its activities. According to the White House, the executive board members will each focus on specific issues—ranging from governance capacity-building to attracting investments and mobilizing funding for large-scale reconstruction efforts.
As of now, it remains unclear what specific role Prime Minister Mark Carney will undertake within this structure. The Board of Peace represents a pivotal effort in addressing the aftermath of prolonged conflict in Gaza and aims to facilitate a more stable and prosperous future for the region.
