Opinion | Why Lasting Peace In Gaza Remains Elusive Despite The Board Of Peace

The Gaza ceasefire holds under Trump’s 20 Point Plan, but Hamas won’t disarm, Israel remains at the Yellow Line, and peace efforts face hurdles.

The ceasefire in Gaza is holding despite occasional reports of violations from both sides. Negotiated as part of Trump’s ‘20 Point Peace Plan’, the ceasefire, which came into effect on 10 October 2025, has now completed four months and has been successful in implementing most of the key requirements of Phase 1 of the plan.

All the hostages (dead and alive) have been successfully returned to Israel, with the mortal remains of the last hostage, police officer Ran Gvili, retrieved on 26 January 2026 from a cemetery in northern Gaza. Israeli forces have pulled back to a designated ‘Yellow Line’ in Gaza and critical humanitarian aid is trickling into the territory.

'I Like Women; Not Young, Handsome Men': Trump's Off-Script Remarks At Board Of Peace Draw Chuckles

India Attends Gaza Board Of Peace's First Meet As Observer

'Would Love To Have China, Russia...': Trump After Gaza 'Board of Peace' Meets For The First Time

No Troops, No Traction? US-Pakistan Ties Strained Over Gaza ISF Plan, Say Sources

In addition, the crucial Rafah Crossing into Egypt, vital for the evacuation of patients requiring urgent medical aid, was opened on 2 February, nearly two years after Israel closed it. Operated by the European Union Border Assistance Mission, it allows a small number of Palestinians to enter and leave the Gaza Strip daily.

Taking the peace process forward, a number of important developments have taken place over the past month. The Board of Peace has been nominated, an interim government of Gaza is now in place, and the first summit meeting of the Board of Peace took place on 19 February, with several countries pledging money and troops.

There are, however, many crucial questions still to be answered. Chief among them are the prospects for long-term peace and security in Gaza and mechanisms to ensure that Israel does not face a repeat of 7 October.

Will the Board of Peace be able to deliver on its mandate? Can it ensure long-term peace and stability in Gaza and Israel? What happens to other key requirements such as the disarming of Hamas, the demilitarisation of Gaza and the deployment of an international force?

The most important piece of the puzzle in the pursuit of peace in Gaza is the question of governance. As per the 20 Point Plan, the Board of Peace is the apex body in this regard and is to be chaired by President Trump.

Soon after the announcement of the plan on 29 September 2025, it was presented at the Peace Summit held at Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt on 13 October where, in the presence of more than 20 world leaders, the leaders of Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the US issued a joint statement backing the Gaza ceasefire deal and committing to “enduring peace" in the region. The 20 Point Peace Plan was later endorsed by the UN Security Council on 17........

© News18