Hopes concrete steps will probably be taken in the direction of implementation of everlasting ceasefire; Turkiye, Egypt additionally announce becoming a member of
US President Donald Trump appears to be like at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif talking following the official signing of the primary part of the Gaza ceasefire settlement in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on October 13, 2025. Picture: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan has accepted United States President Donald Trump’s invitation to hitch his Board of Peace, a brand new worldwide mechanism geared toward supporting the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan, the International Workplace (FO) introduced on Wednesday.
Different nations which have accepted the invitation to hitch the board embody Israel, Turkiye, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. The proposed board can be chaired for all times by Trump and would initially give attention to the Gaza battle earlier than increasing its remit to different wars. Member nations can be required to pay a $1 billion price to safe everlasting membership.
In an announcement, the Ministry of International Affairs stated the choice was taken following an invite prolonged to PM Shehbaz by Trump. The Board of Peace has been constituted below the framework of the United Nations Safety Council Decision 2803, which requires concrete steps to handle the continuing battle in Gaza.
The FO stated Pakistan’s participation displays its longstanding dedication to worldwide peace and safety, in addition to its constant assist for the Palestinian trigger.
“Pakistan hopes that with the creation of this framework, concrete steps will probably be taken in the direction of the implementation of a everlasting ceasefire, additional scaling up of humanitarian support for the Palestinians, in addition to reconstruction of Gaza,” the assertion stated.
The federal government underscored that a right away and sturdy ceasefire remained vital to assuaging the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, the place months of battle have left 1000’s lifeless and displaced giant segments of the inhabitants. Islamabad additionally burdened the pressing want for unhindered humanitarian entry to make sure the supply of meals, medication and important provides to civilians.
Past the fast humanitarian dimension, Pakistan reiterated its principled place on the Palestinian concern, emphasising that lasting peace within the Center East couldn’t be achieved with out addressing the basis political causes of the battle.
The FO stated Pakistan hoped the efforts below the Board of Peace would result in the realisation of the Palestinian folks’s proper to self-determination by means of a “credible, time-bound political course of”, in keeping with worldwide regulation and related United Nations resolutions.
Such a course of, the assertion added, should culminate within the institution of an unbiased, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine primarily based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Learn Extra: Trump invitations extra international leaders to hitch Gaza ‘Board of Peace
Pakistan has traditionally supported a two-state answer and has repeatedly known as on the worldwide group to maneuver past disaster administration in the direction of a complete political settlement of the Palestinian query.
Diplomatic sources stated Pakistan’s inclusion within the Board of Peace was prone to improve the physique’s legitimacy, notably amongst Muslim-majority nations, and will assist bridge gaps between totally different worldwide stakeholders concerned within the Gaza peace efforts.
The assertion didn’t present particulars in regards to the composition of the Board of Peace or its operational modalities, however officers indicated that the discussion board was anticipated to play a facilitative position in coordinating ceasefire preparations, humanitarian help and post-conflict reconstruction, whereas supporting a broader political observe below UN auspices.
Pakistan additionally conveyed its readiness to play a constructive position throughout the Board of Peace to assist finish the struggling of the Palestinian folks.
“Pakistan appears to be like ahead to proceed enjoying a constructive position as a part of the Board of Peace for the achievement of those objectives in addition to to finish the struggling of our Palestinian brothers and sisters,” the FO stated. The announcement was shared by Deputy Prime Minister and International Minister Ishaq Dar as effectively.
Pakistan broadcasts its choice to hitch the Board of Peace (BoP) in assist of the Gaza Peace Plan below UNSC Decision 2803, reaffirming its dedication to a everlasting ceasefire, humanitarian reduction, Gaza’s reconstruction, and a simply, time-bound path to an unbiased…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) January 21, 2026
Islamabad has been vocal in worldwide boards, together with the UN Basic Meeting and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, about the necessity to defend Palestinian civilians and uphold worldwide humanitarian regulation. Pakistani leaders have repeatedly condemned assaults on civilians and civilian infrastructure, whereas calling for accountability and adherence to UN resolutions.
Observers say Pakistan’s choice to formally be part of the Board of Peace indicators its intent to stay diplomatically engaged on Gaza at a time when international efforts are underway to forestall additional escalation and to put the groundwork for a political settlement.
The announcement comes only a day earlier than a proper signing cereminy to ascertain Board of Peace in Davos on the sidelines of the World Financial Discussion board (WEF).
Different nations start accepting invitation to hitch
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu workplace stated in a publish on X earlier as we speak that he had accepted Trump’s invitation to hitch the Board of Peace.
The event got here as Israeli hearth killed at the very least 11 Palestinians, together with two boys and three journalists, in Gaza, native medics stated. The Israeli army stated it had “eradicated” a Palestinian who posed a menace to troopers.
Within the newest violence disrupting a brittle, three-month-old ceasefire, Palestinian well being officers stated an Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinian journalists travelling in a automotive within the central Gaza Strip.
The three have been on an task sponsored by the Egyptian Committee, which supervises Egypt’s reduction work in Gaza, to movie tent encampments constructed by Egypt for displaced Palestinians, different native journalists informed Reuters. An Egyptian safety supply confirmed the car belonged to the committee however gave no additional particulars. The Israeli army didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Earlier as we speak, Palestinian medics stated three folks, together with a 10-year-old boy, have been killed by Israeli tank shelling east of Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza. Two others — a 13-year-old boy and a girl — have been killed in two Israeli capturing incidents in jap Khan Younis in Gaza’s south, they stated.
Three different Palestinians have been killed in separate shootings throughout the coastal enclave, bringing as we speak’s dying toll to at the very least 11, in line with the well being ministry in Gaza. Residents stated the 2 capturing incidents occurred in Palestinian-controlled areas. There was no fast Israeli army touch upon these incidents.
Individually, a Turkish supply informed Reuters that International Minister Hakan Fidan will signify Turkiye’s president on the Board of Peace.
Trump had despatched an invite to President Tayyip Erdogan to grow to be a member of the board.
Trump is attributable to preside over a ceremony marking the Board of Peace on Thursday on the annual assembly of the WEF in Davos, Switzerland. “Hakan [Fidan] will be part of,” Erdogan informed reporters in parliament as we speak when requested whether or not he accepted Trump’s invitation.
The White Home had earlier introduced that Fidan was a member of a separate “Gaza Government Board”, together with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s particular envoy Steve Witkoff, former British prime minister Tony Blair and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
The Turkish supply with information of the matter, talking on situation of anonymity, stated Fidan would additionally signify Erdogan on the leaders-level Board of Peace. The Turkish International Ministry stated in an announcement that Fidan would attend the signing ceremony on Thursday.
Egypt additionally accepted an invite to hitch the board, its overseas ministry stated in an announcement.
In the meantime, Italy is not going to participate within the proposed initiative, every day Corriere della Sera reported as we speak, citing issues that becoming a member of a physique led by a single nation’s chief would violate Italy’s structure.
Trump’s plan has to date drawn cautious reactions from Western allies, with diplomats warning it might undermine the work of the United Nations.
A supply informed Reuters that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a right-wing chief who has had heat relations with Trump, was unlikely to attend the Davos occasion. The Italian authorities didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
In response to Italy’s structure, the nation might be part of worldwide organisations that guarantee “peace and justice amongst nations” solely “on equal phrases with different states” — a situation incompatible with US primacy throughout the proposed board, Corriere stated. The newspaper didn’t cite a supply for its report.
Invites to hitch the board have been despatched to round 60 nations, however solely a handful, together with Hungary, the UAE and Israel, have to date accepted with out reservations. Including to issues amongst Western allies, the Kremlin stated this week that Russian President Vladimir Putin had additionally been invited.
