Trump Assembles High-Profile “Board of Peace” to Oversee Gaza Reconstruction and Governance
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The United States is moving forward with the next phase of its plan for Gaza, establishing a new “board of peace” led by former President Donald Trump and comprised of prominent international figures. The initiative, announced by the White House, aims to steer reconstruction and governance efforts in the war-ravaged territory following a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The seven-member “founding executive board” includes a diverse range of individuals, signaling a broad, if potentially contentious, approach to the complex challenges ahead. Alongside Trump, the board will feature US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump’s special envoy and property developer Steve Witkoff, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and the president’s son-in-law and long-time advisor, Jared Kushner.
According to a White House statement released on Friday, each board member will be responsible for a specific area crucial to Gaza’s stabilization and long-term success. These portfolios encompass governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilization. The United States affirmed its “full commitment” to supporting this transitional framework, emphasizing close collaboration with Israel, key Arab nations, and the international community.
Blair’s Appointment Sparks Controversy
The inclusion of Tony Blair is anticipated to be particularly sensitive within the region. The former Labour leader remains a polarizing figure in the Middle East due to his role in the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. After leaving office in 2007, Blair served as a special representative for the Quartet – a group comprising the US, EU, Russia, and the UN – seeking peace between Israel and the Palestinians. However, perceptions of his pro-Israel stance ultimately led to his resignation in 2015.
Acknowledging the potential for regional resistance, Trump conceded last October, “I’ve always liked Tony, but I want to find out that he’s an acceptable choice to everybody.”
Key Appointments to Support the Board
To facilitate the board’s operations, Trump has also appointed Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum as senior advisors, tasked with overseeing “day-to-day strategy and operations.” Nickolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian politician and former UN envoy to the Middle East, will serve as the High Representative for Gaza.
The formation of this “board of peace” follows the establishment of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee, designed to manage daily affairs in post-war Gaza. Headed by Ali Sha’ath, a Gaza native and former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority, the committee is lauded by the White House for its members’ “deep experience in public administration, economic development, and international engagement.”
Security and Stabilization Efforts Underway
In addition to the governance and reconstruction initiatives, the US is also bolstering security measures. The former head of US special forces, Maj Gen Jasper Jeffers, has been appointed to lead an International Stabilisation Force (ISF), responsible for overseeing security across the territory.
The US-backed peace plan, initiated on October 10th, resulted in the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas and a cessation of hostilities between Israel and the militant group. While the second phase is now underway, challenges remain, including reports of aid shortages and sporadic violence.
Concerns Over Implementation and Israeli Actions
Despite the ceasefire, concerns persist regarding the full implementation of the initial phase of the agreement. Democratic congresswoman Rosa DeLauro highlighted the need for complete delivery of humanitarian aid, a cessation of Israeli military strikes, and the return of the remains of the final hostage held by Hamas, Ran Gvili, stating, “The war must finally end before the peace can be built.”
Furthermore, reports indicate that Israel has demolished thousands of structures that survived the conflict, including homes and greenhouses, in areas of Gaza still under its control. Hamas has also yet to publicly commit to full disarmament, a critical demand from Israel and a major obstacle to a lasting settlement.
The president, characteristically optimistic, described the board as the “Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place.” However, political scientist Seth Masket questioned the board’s efficacy, observing that Trump may struggle to balance peace initiatives with his other stated priorities. “I hope he can find time to attend Board of Peace meetings between meetings about invasions of Venezuela, Iran, Greenland, Canada, and Minneapolis,” Masket noted on social media.
The success of this ambitious undertaking will depend on navigating these complex challenges and fostering genuine cooperation among all stakeholders in the region.
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