In a bold move, the Trump administration has unveiled the members of its new “Board of Peace” for Gaza, a body tasked with overseeing the temporary governance and reconstruction of the war-torn region. This high-profile panel, chaired by the US president himself, is set to play a critical role in shaping the future of Gaza.
The board’s roster includes a diverse array of figures, both domestic and international. Former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, known for his involvement in the Iraq War, has been tapped as a founding member, drawing criticism from some quarters. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who previously advocated for Israel to “destroy every element of Hamas they can get their hands on,” has now praised the initial ceasefire deal as the “best” and “only” plan.
Also joining the board are real estate magnate and Trump golf partner Steve Witkoff, who has been a central figure in US-led efforts to negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Jared Kushner, the US president’s son-in-law, has also played a key role in the administration’s foreign policy negotiations, including discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Rounding out the board are billionaire Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management, and Ajay Banga, the president of the World Bank, who has advised senior US politicians, including former President Barack Obama. The final member is Robert Gabriel, a US national security adviser who has worked with Trump since his 2016 presidential campaign.
The White House statement also revealed that Nickolay Mladenov, a former UN Middle East envoy, will serve as the board’s representative on the ground in Gaza. He will oversee a separate 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), which will be tasked with managing the day-to-day governance of post-war Gaza.
As the Trump administration’s Gaza peace plan enters its second phase, the formation of this “Board of Peace” has sparked both intrigue and controversy. With such a diverse and high-profile lineup, the world will be watching closely to see how this new body navigates the complex and delicate challenges of stabilising and rebuilding Gaza.