Trump Assembles Gaza Peace Board with Global Leaders

The White House has announced the formation of a “Board of Peace” to oversee the governance of Gaza, which has been under a fragile ceasefire since October 2023. The board will be chaired by Donald Trump and includes prominent figures such as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. This development comes as part of a broader plan revealed by Trump’s administration aimed at establishing temporary governance in the region.

The initiative has received backing from both Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, who have agreed to the framework proposed by the Trump administration. According to this plan, a Palestinian technocratic body will operate under the supervision of the international board during a transitional period. Critics have raised concerns about the implications of such oversight, with some human rights experts likening it to a colonial governance model.

Board Composition and Responsibilities

While the White House has not detailed the specific responsibilities of each board member, it has indicated that more appointments will be made public in the coming weeks. Notable additional members include private equity executive Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Robert Gabriel, a Trump advisor. Furthermore, Nickolay Mladenov, a former UN Middle East envoy, will serve as the high representative for Gaza.

The board’s formation follows a UN Security Council resolution adopted in mid-November, which authorized the creation of an International Stabilization Force in Gaza. This force aims to maintain stability in the region amidst ongoing hostilities. The White House also introduced an 11-member “Gaza Executive Board,” featuring key international figures, including Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Sigrid Kaag. This additional board is expected to support Mladenov’s office and the Palestinian technocratic body.

Ongoing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis

The ceasefire remains tenuous, with accusations of violations exchanged between Israel and Hamas. Reports indicate that over 450 Palestinians, including more than 100 children, and three Israeli soldiers have lost their lives during the truce. The conflict has escalated significantly since October 2023, with Israeli military actions resulting in tens of thousands of fatalities, a severe hunger crisis, and the internal displacement of Gaza’s entire population.

A UN inquiry, alongside multiple rights experts and scholars, has categorized these actions as potential genocide. In response, Israel has defended its military operations as acts of self-defense, citing a late 2023 attack by Hamas that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of over 250 hostages.

The establishment of the Board of Peace reflects a significant diplomatic effort by the Trump administration to influence the future governance of Gaza, amid a complex backdrop of ongoing violence and humanitarian distress. As the situation evolves, the global community will be closely monitoring the actions and effectiveness of this newly formed board.