Full Breakdown
Trump’s Board of Peace Drafts Sweeping Immunity for Gaza Operations
6/28/2026, 11:08:14 AM
Draft Immunity Resolution: Core Details
Resolution No 2026/3, a four-page “sensitive but unclassified” draft, would grant legal immunity to Board of Peace members, the High Representative office, Palestinian technocrats, the International Stabilization Force and contractors in Gaza. It bars arrest, detention or proceedings in Gaza courts, allows the board to occupy premises “free of charge,” and creates an internal claims system for property loss, injury or death. President Donald Trump, as chair, could waive immunity with majority support of the seven-member executive board.
Context and Funding
The Board of Peace was announced by President Trump in 2025 and endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (Nov 2025) to govern Gaza until 31 Dec 2027. The 19 Feb 2026 inaugural meeting secured pledges of over US$7 billion from nine donor states—Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait—while World Bank will act as trustee. Board members include Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, Susie Wiles and Marco Rubio; Nickolay Mladenov serves as high representative and Ali Shaath heads the Palestinian technocratic committee.
Legal and Accountability Concerns
The draft omits a status-of-forces agreement with Israel, leaving the board’s authority over public property unclear. Section 7’s “Third Party Liability/Claims” system replaces external courts, raising doubts about investigation of civilian injuries or property damage.
Official Statements & Responses
A Board of Peace spokesperson told The Guardian there is “no resolution or immunity framework of the kind described” and denied impunity, saying personnel will work under “clear rules, oversight and accountability mechanisms.”
Criticism & Opposition
Legal scholars argue the draft “exempts the board… from accountability,” creates “a legal system unto itself,” and lacks a status-of-forces agreement, leaving contractor liability unclear.
Why It Matters
The immunity framework could shield board officials and contractors from prosecution for civilian harm, undermine international humanitarian law, and set a precedent for future reconstruction without external oversight.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on whether immunity extends to international courts, and the draft does not specify who will provide the “free of charge” facilities. The document has not been shared with the Palestinian technocratic committee, and oversight for the internal claims process remains undefined.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It looks like an attempt to exempt the board, and all of its personnel, from accountability for potential legal violations,” — Emily Schaeffer Omer-Man, litigator, American University
- “They are basically saying there’s no external oversight, including applicable international law regarding occupation,” — Noura Erakat, professor of law, Rutgers University
- “If they don’t have a status of forces agreement with Israel, then it’s not clear what the board’s legal authority would be,” — Brad Parker, associate director, Center for Constitutional Rights
- “Any suggestion that this process is designed to create lawlessness or impunity is wrong, misleading and gets the issue entirely backwards.” — Board of Peace spokesperson, quoted to The Guardian
What’s Next
The resolution takes effect upon signature by High Representative Nickolay Mladenov; the board then seeks UN Security Council endorsement while congressional review of funding and ISF deployments shape its timeline.