The White House has unveiled a bold initiative to resolve the Gaza conflict, sparking intense global interest and debate. In a groundbreaking move, US President Trump has appointed prominent figures to a 'Board of Peace' for Gaza, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. But here's where it gets controversial: Trump himself will chair this board, which is part of his ambitious 20-point plan to end the Israel-Hamas war.
This board is expected to oversee Gaza's governance and reconstruction temporarily. Alongside Rubio and Blair, it includes Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, private equity firm head Marc Rowan, World Bank chief Ajay Banga, and US national security adviser Robert Gabriel. Each member is assigned a critical portfolio for Gaza's stabilization and long-term success.
Trump's statement on Thursday praised the board as the 'Greatest and Most Prestigious' ever assembled. The White House plans to announce further members in the coming weeks. Blair, UK Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007, led the country into the Iraq War in 2003. Post-office, he served as Middle East envoy for the Quartet of international powers.
This board follows the formation of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee, the National Committee for Administration of Gaza (NCAG), tasked with post-war governance. Former Palestinian Authority deputy minister Ali Shaath will lead this committee. The board's representative on the ground in Gaza will be Nickolay Mladenov, a former UN Middle East envoy.
Trump's plan also involves deploying an International Stabilisation Force to train and support Palestinian police, led by US Major General Jasper Jeffers. A separate 'Gaza executive board' is being formed to support governance, including some founding board members and additional appointees.
The US peace plan, in effect since October, has entered its second phase. However, the future of Gaza and its 2.1 million Palestinian residents remains uncertain. Phase one saw a ceasefire, hostage-prisoner exchange, partial Israeli withdrawal, and aid surge. Phase two aims for Gaza's reconstruction and demilitarization, with Hamas and other Palestinian groups disarming.
Witkoff warned Hamas of serious consequences for non-compliance, including the return of the last dead Israeli hostage's body. Yet, the ceasefire is fragile, with both sides accusing each other of violations. Since October, approximately 450 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes, while three Israeli soldiers have died in Palestinian attacks, according to official sources.
The UN highlights dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, emphasizing the need for unrestricted critical supplies. The conflict began with a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023, resulting in over 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. Since then, over 71,260 people have been killed in Israeli attacks, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.
