How to Explain Trump’s Israel-Gaza Peace Deal in 90 Seconds
By Yusra Suedi (PhD, Assistant Professor of International Law at University of Manchester)
After the Israel–Hamas ceasefire, Donald Trump’s plan creates a temporary Board of Peace (BoP) — led by him and likely including Tony Blair — to rebuild and stabilize Gaza before handing it back to Palestinian control by 31 December 2027.
The BoP has two main goals:
1. Rebuild Gaza
Set up a temporary local government
Oversee reconstruction (funded by international donors and governments)
Support a neutral team of qualified Palestinian officials to run daily services
Bring aid back into Gaza — but block groups accused of misusing it (e.g. UNRWA – the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East)
2. Stabilize Gaza
Create a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) — an armed peacekeeping force from several countries
Disarm Gaza by destroying Hamas weapons and stopping new ones from entering
Keep humanitarian corridors open and safe for aid and civilians
Train and support vetted Palestinian police
Protect civilians and maintain peace
The ISF can “use all necessary measures” (meaning it can use force if needed) within international law.
Legal concerns
Could block aid groups like UNRWA, even though the International Court of Justice (ICJ) recently confirmed that UNRWA is legitimate (see para. 124);
Puts Gaza’s management in foreign hands (i.e., the BoP and a temporary local government which may or may not include Palestinians). This undermines Palestinians’ right to self-determination (i.e., to decide their own fate) as confirmed by the ICJ (see paras. 230, 243).
Ignores the bigger issue of Israel’s occupation: Palestinians want freedom from control — this could just replace one form of control with another…
What’s next?
The UN Security Council is expected to vote on the plan soon. It needs 9 of 15 votes and no veto from the U.S., U.K., France, Russia, or China to pass.
I’ll keep you updated as things unfold!
What would you like explained next? Let me know in the comments.