Trump Forms ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza with Global Leaders

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the formation of a ‘Board of Peace’ aimed at overseeing the next phase of his 20-point ceasefire plan for Gaza. This newly established board includes prominent figures such as former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

According to a statement from the White House, the board is comprised of leaders with significant experience in areas such as diplomacy, development, infrastructure, and economic strategy. Other notable members include World Bank President Ajay Banga, billionaire financier Marc Rowan, and Robert Gabriel, a trusted aide who is part of the National Security Council. Each member will manage specific portfolios that are critical to Gaza’s stabilization and long-term success. These areas of focus include governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilization.

Blair’s appointment adds a controversial element to the board, given his history as a key figure during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. His involvement had previously been speculated in reports about efforts to develop a post-war strategy for Gaza. Trump, who has declared himself chair of the board, expressed the necessity of ensuring Blair is an “acceptable choice to everybody.”

Board’s Objectives and Challenges

The White House elaborated that the Board of Peace will tackle various issues, including governance and reconstruction strategies. Trump has previously floated the idea of transforming war-torn Gaza into a resort-style destination, although he has since distanced himself from proposals to forcibly displace residents.

Despite the announcement of the ceasefire, which has been in effect since October, military strikes in Gaza continue. On October 20, Israel’s military reported further strikes in response to what it termed a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire, alleging that armed militants fired upon Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) troops in Rafah.

In conjunction with the board’s establishment, Trump appointed U.S. Major General Jasper Jeffers to lead the ‘International Stabilization Force,’ tasked with providing security in Gaza and training a new police force to replace Hamas. Jeffers previously oversaw ceasefire monitoring efforts between Lebanon and Israel. The search for international contributions to this force is ongoing, with Indonesia indicating an early willingness to participate. Nevertheless, achieving troop commitments from other nations may prove challenging unless Hamas complies with disarmament.

Formation of Palestinian Governance Committee

A Palestinian committee of technocrats, set to govern Gaza, convened its inaugural meeting in Cairo, attended by Jared Kushner. Former Palestinian Authority deputy minister Ali Shaath has been chosen to lead the governing committee. The meeting also featured Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, who will serve as the liaison between the new governing body and Trump’s Board of Peace.

Committee members plan to visit Gaza soon to commence their work, with one member expressing the urgency of establishing governance on the ground. Additionally, Trump has formed a second advisory board, featuring Blair, Witkoff, and Mladenov, along with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. However, Israel has opposed Turkey’s involvement in the security force due to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s outspoken criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza.

The board also includes senior representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020. Notably, Trump appointed Sigrid Kaag, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Gaza, to the board, despite his administration’s past efforts to limit the role of the United Nations in the region.

This complex situation continues to evolve, as the international community watches closely for developments regarding governance and stability in Gaza.