Trump's New Peace Board: A Controversial Bid for Global Influence

If there was any doubt left, Donald Trump is willing to dictate the fates of the entire planet, especially in areas of conflict. Under this iron curtain, the Peace Board created by his administration is set to launch this Thursday with Gaza as its first stop, aiming to consolidate the weight of the United States above that of Europe. The summit is organized just a few weeks after the formal creation of the aforementioned Peace Board, announced by Trump himself on January 15th. It comes at a time of maximum geopolitical tension, two years after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas. There is a strange atmosphere—a false ceasefire—with the reconstruction of Gaza as one of the big challenges on the international agenda. From Washington, Trump has not hesitated to state that this initiative is an alternative to the UN, a claim that has drawn sharp criticism from several countries. The unique president has shown unrestrained ambition; even though this summit was announced as focused solely on Gaza, he has rhetorically expanded its scope by declaring it will go much further and could be decisive in achieving peace in many other parts of the world. Thus, Thursday's gathering marks the kickoff for this new Peace Board, which, according to the White House, aims to collaborate with the United Nations. However, this collaboration lacks details and is generating considerable confusion. The summit will primarily serve to define the operational mandate of the Peace Board and later clarify its role in the search for peace in Gaza, focusing on key aspects of the conflict, such as the donation of resources for the reconstruction of the Strip and sending the necessary humanitarian assistance. What does Hamas say? Although it is not an official part of the Board, the organization has already expressed its views by making a clear and direct call for appropriate measures. These measures should be clear, concrete, and serve to halt the ceasefire while allowing the implementation of everything agreed upon in the peace plan signed last October 2025 in Egypt. Hamas also insists on the duty to collaborate with the UN Security Council and the National Commission for the Administration of Gaza (CNAG) to ensure the real reconstruction of the Strip and that whatever is decided does not fall by the wayside. Implicit behind these requests is Hamas's expectation for a commitment that ultimately translates into actions rather than mere political rhetoric. They have openly expressed the general dissatisfaction of the Palestinian people with processes driven from Washington. Spain's position has been very firm against this Peace Board. The Spanish government has outright rejected participation, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez explaining that the primary reason for not attending in Washington is that the initiative is framed outside the United Nations and does not include the Palestinian Authority as part of the process. Sánchez further argues that peace and the reconstruction of the Strip should be undertaken with the participation of all involved actors, including Palestinian representatives. This Spanish refusal is part of a broader debate within the European Union regarding the legitimacy and legal fit of this Peace Board, as several countries have expressed doubts about its design, governance, and compatibility with the UN Charter. Other international players remain cautious. Although Trump insists on a message of collaboration, speculating about broader horizons linked to Iran, this view is not well received in Europe. Countries like Belgium, Norway, and Sweden have also firmly refused to attend, while others like Bulgaria and Hungary show some openness to flying to Washington. Israel, of course, will undoubtedly be present. Among the five permanent UN Security Council members—the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom—none, besides the organizers, have confirmed attendance. Trump has hinted that Vladimir Putin would agree to join the body, although the Kremlin has yet to comment, raising concerns among European nations. As Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom noted about Russia, "They are waging war against a European country; they are bombing Ukraine.” This Peace Board appears to be part of a longer-term strategy by Trump aimed at strengthening Washington's influence on international issues. Ultimately, it seeks to establish U.S. leadership in critical decision-making during conflict scenarios, wherever they may arise. What remains clear is that Thursday's summit will serve as a significant moment to gauge tensions. It will present public commitments and political agreements, but it will also highlight the divergence of visions regarding how peace in Gaza should be managed and which institutions should lead that process. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2