Gaza 2026: Board of Peace and National Transitional Committee

In January 2026 the US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, announced the beginning of stage two of the October 2025 framework between Israel and Hamas. This 20-point framework had been endorsed by the UN Security Council in November 2025, with the UK backing the measure.

This briefing describes the establishment of the Board of Peace, and the temporary transitional committee for Gaza that it will supervise. Like many European states, the UK has not confirmed it will join the board, citing concerns about Russia’s potential membership and the board’s remit going beyond Gaza.

Section 2 of the Library briefing on the UK response to the conflict in 2025 sets out the October framework, international responses to it, and developments in Gaza and the West Bank to November 2025.

What progress was made under stage 1?

Stage 1 of the October 2025 framework provided for an immediate end to fighting, for the release of all hostages held in Gaza in exchange for some Palestinian prisoners, an increase in humanitarian aid and withdrawal of the Israel Defence Forces to a set line (the “yellow line”).

The body of the last hostage taken by Hamas on 7 October 2023 was recovered in late January 2026.

UN data and Israeli data both show an increase in aid since October 2025. However, significant concerns for the humanitarian situation remain, with Israeli action against the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and international NGOs restricting or ending their access to Gaza. The Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza also reopened in February, but for only a limited number of people rather than goods. The UK Government and others have requested that Israel revise its banned list of “dual use” items to allow more goods and aid to enter Gaza and to fully re-open Rafah.

Israeli forces currently control just over half of Gaza, and Hamas retains its weapons in the Strip. There have been continued reports of violence and violations of the ceasefire in Gaza into 2026.

The 2025 framework does not cover the West Bank. In 2025 and 2026, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has recorded continuing violence between Israeli settlers, Palestinians and the Israel Defence Forces. Israeli settlement activity on the E1 West Bank plan (involving houses to the east of Jerusalem ), which the responsible Israeli minister Smotrich says would “bury” the idea of a Palestinian state, continues in 2026. A new scheme to register areas in the West Bank as open for Israeli development has also been announced. The Palestinian Authority says this is de-facto annexation.

What was announced in January 2026?

On 14 January 2026 US envoy Steve Witkoff said that stage 2 had begun. He said this would involve forming a transitional committee to govern Gaza and the “full demilitarisation and reconstruction” of the Strip. To date:

• The Board of Peace, intended to oversee post-conflict Gaza, has been established. Chaired by President Trump, up to 35 states have agreed to join, but not any other G7 state. A US-appointed Gaza executive board, including Sir Tony Blair and Jared Kushner, is in place.
• A Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, intended to lead on reconstruction and humanitarian relief, has been announced. Supervised by the Board of Peace, it is led by former Palestinian Minister Ali Shaath and does not include members from Hamas or the Palestinian Authority (and its dominant faction, Fatah). The committee is based in Egypt and has not entered Gaza. Hamas has said it is willing to cede governance to the transitional committee.

What other aspects of stage 2 remain?

Many other aspects of the October 2025 framework remain unresolved and open to negotiation. These include:

• Disarming Hamas. Hamas, which is proscribed in the UK as a terrorist group, has signalled it is willing to disarm if Israeli forces withdraw and progress is made on Palestinian statehood. Recent statements suggest it wants to retain its small-arms or participate in Gaza’s police. President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu have said military action remains an option. The 2025 framework proposes an amnesty for Hamas fighters.
• Creating an international stabilisation force, intended to secure demilitarisation. This has not yet been formed, though a US General was appointed leader in January 2026. Israel continues to oppose Turkish and Qatari participation in any force. Contributing states are not confirmed.
• Role of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Israeli laws in 2024 and 2025 banned state engagement with UNRWA, restricting its ability to send some staff and goods into Gaza. The Library briefing on UNRWA has more on this topic.
• There is extensive damage to infrastructure, services and homes across Gaza. However, donors are reportedly concerned about committing funds before Hamas is disarmed and uncertain about funding through the Board of Peace rather than the UN.
• Reforms to the Palestinian Authority and whether it will assume governance in Gaza as well as the West Bank. Expected reforms include to its education and welfare system. Section 2.5 of the Library briefing on the conflict in 2025 has more on these commitments.

Israeli parliamentary elections, due by October 2026, and planned elections for the Palestinian Authority, may also influence international action on Gaza.

What’s been the response to the US plans? UK Government

In 2026 the UK Government has welcomed the transitional committee, describing it as more “important” than the board. It says that the committee must take the lead in increasing aid, which the UK says remains too low. Like many European states, the UK has expressed concern at the broad mandate of the Board of Peace and decision to invite President Putin. The UK has not joined. In March 2026 the UK is hosting a conference on the International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine. Details are to be confirmed.

Israel, Hamas and Palestinian Authority

Palestinian groups, including Hamas, have said they support the transitional committee and are prepared to cede governance to it. However, Hamas is critical of the board, arguing it constitutes “international guardianship”. The Palestinian Authority says it remains committed to carrying out its reforms.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said Steve Witkoff’s January announcement was a “declarative move”. He has been critical of Qatar and Turkey joining the board; both states having been critical of Israeli conduct in Gaza in the 2023 to 2025 conflict. Nonetheless, Israel has joined the Board of Peace.

Prime Minister Netanyahu says reconstruction should not be allowed to begin before Hamas is disarmed. He has restated his opposition to a Palestinian state. Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog, has suggested that Israel could normalise diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia. However, Saudi Arabia’s immediate foreign policy priorities have moved further away from this aim.

Response of Arab states

Arab states, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, have backed the transitional committee and joined the Board of Peace. They say the board will progress the reconstruction of Gaza and is a permanent solution to the conflict. Saudi aid for the Palestinian Authority has been announced.