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Trump invites Erdogan to be Board of Peace member, Turkey says

By AFP and ToI Staff 17 January 2026, 1:49 pm
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US President Donald Trump (left) greets Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a summit to support ending the more than two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza after a breakthrough ceasefire deal, October 13, 2025, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. (AP/Evan Vucci, Pool)
US President Donald Trump (left) greets Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a summit to support ending the more than two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza after a breakthrough ceasefire deal, October 13, 2025, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. (AP/Evan Vucci, Pool)

ISTANBUL, Turkey — US President Donald Trump has invited Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to join the so-called Board of Peace that will oversee postwar Gaza, Turkey says.

Erdogan received the proposal in a letter yesterday from Trump inviting him to “become a founding member” of the board, Turkish presidential communications director Burhanettin Duran posts on social media.

Erdogan, while close to Trump, is one of the most bitter critics of Israel and Jerusalem has repeatedly opposed Turkish involvement in Gaza.

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