Trump introduces Gaza international oversight body, ‘the board of peace’

US President Donald Trump says his plan calls for a new international oversight body, “the Board of Peace.”

It will be headed by Trump himself, he says, adding that the Arab countries and Israel requested he do so.

It will include world leaders, he says, and will include former UK prime minister Tony Blair.

The board will work with the World Bank, and “will be responsible for recruiting and training a new government that will be made up of Palestinians along with highly qualified experts from all along the world.”

Hamas and other terrorist groups will play no role in the board or the governance of Gaza, directly or indirectly.

Trump says that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “very clear about his opposition to a Palestinian state.”

Trump says that he “understands and respects his position on many things, but what he’s doing today is so great for Israel.”

The Israeli public contends Trump wants two things: bringing the hostages back and ending the war. “They’ve had it,” he says.

“I think it’s a very popular thing you do,” he says, “because you’re a warrior. He doesn’t know about getting back to a normal way of life. But he is a warrior, and Israel is lucky to have him.”

Israelis want to “get back to peace and get back to normalization,” says Trump.