Trump Peace Board seeks legal immunity for Gaza operators

A draft four‑page resolution, classified as “sensitive but not secret,” outlines a plan by the Trump‑initiated Peace Board to grant sweeping legal immunity to its members, the High Representative Office staff, Palestinian technocrats, international armed forces and selected non‑resident contractors working in Gaza. The immunity would shield them from any arrest, detention or legal proceedings in Gaza’s courts, though it is unclear whether it would also protect them from international tribunals.

The board, chaired by former President Donald Trump, would allow the chair to remove a member’s immunity with a majority vote. Its seven‑member executive includes Jared Kushner, special envoy Steve Witkoff, chief of staff Susie Wiles and national‑security adviser Marco Rubio. While billions have been pledged for Gaza reconstruction, most funding has not yet been transferred and no major contracts have been signed. Negotiations in Cairo with the board’s high‑representative, Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, and selected Palestinian administrators focus on refining the board’s operational framework. Legal experts warn the proposal could impede accountability, recalling similar controversies in U.S.‑led rebuilding efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.