Trump's Board of Peace plans pilot humanitarian zone in Gaza

Donald Trump’s Board of Peace is preparing a pilot humanitarian zone in the Gaza Strip to jump‑start the president’s stalled 20‑point peace plan. The scheme would accommodate tens of thousands of vetted Palestinian civilians on a voluntary basis, with screening carried out by the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) and security provided by a multinational International Stabilization Force (ISF). The board said the project could be located in Rafah in southern Gaza, though no precise site has been confirmed and construction has not begun.

The pilot does not depend on a formal Hamas agreement, but officials say a deal would accelerate implementation. Hamas has recently announced the dissolution of its de‑facto government in Gaza and readiness to hand over authority to the NCAG, while Israel continues to control more than 60 % of the enclave and plans to expand its hold to 70 %. Humanitarian groups have warned that restricting civilians to sealed zones could contravene international humanitarian law.

Board of Peace officials emphasized that “movement will remain free for all unarmed civilians” and that the assessment of the plan will be guided by actions, not promises, to meet the critical needs of Gaza’s population.