The Trump administration has appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former UK prime minister Sir Tony Blair as founding members of a powerful new “Board of Peace” for Gaza, as part of a bold plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas and guide the territory’s future governance and reconstruction.
The White House announced on Friday that President Donald Trump will serve as chairman of the board, which forms the centrepiece of his 20‑point peace plan for the Middle East. The board is expected to temporarily oversee the running of Gaza and manage its long‑term stabilisation and rebuilding.
Also named to the founding executive board are Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, the president’s son‑in‑law Jared Kushner, World Bank president Ajay Banga, private equity chief Marc Rowan, and US national security adviser Robert Gabriel.
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In a statement, the White House said each member would hold a portfolio “critical to Gaza’s stabilisation and long‑term success”, describing the group as an unprecedented international effort to bring peace and development to the war‑ravaged territory.
Trump praised the initiative as “the greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled at any time, any place,” adding that more members would be announced in the coming weeks.
Sir Tony Blair, who served as UK prime minister from 1997 to 2007, previously worked as Middle East envoy for the Quartet – the US, EU, Russia and the United Nations – where he focused on economic development and advancing a two‑state solution for Israel and Palestine.
He has already taken part in high‑level talks about Gaza’s future, including a White House meeting with Trump in August. While his appointment has drawn mixed reactions due to his role in the Iraq War, UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting said Blair’s diplomatic experience could be valuable, pointing to his role in brokering the Good Friday Agreement.
Alongside the Board of Peace, a separate 15‑member Palestinian technocratic body – the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) – has been formed to manage day‑to‑day governance after the war. It will be led by Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority.
The White House said former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov will represent the board on the ground in Gaza, working closely with the NCAG, while an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) led by US Major General Jasper Jeffers will train and support vetted Palestinian police units.
Phase one of the US‑brokered plan, which began in October, delivered a ceasefire, a hostage‑prisoner exchange, partial Israeli withdrawal and a surge in humanitarian aid. Phase two is expected to focus on reconstruction and the full demilitarisation of Gaza, including the disarmament of Hamas.
However, the ceasefire remains fragile. Nearly 450 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since it came into force, according to Gaza’s health ministry, while Israel says three of its soldiers have been killed in attacks by Palestinian groups.
The United Nations has warned that humanitarian conditions remain dire and has called for unrestricted access for aid.
As the Board of Peace prepares to take shape, the world is watching to see whether Trump’s ambitious plan can bring lasting stability to Gaza and relief to its 2.1 million residents.
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