Trump Takes Chair of Gaza Peace Board in Major Plan Move
Trump appoints himself chairman of Gaza's 'Board of Peace' with global figures like Blair and Kushner.
US President Donald Trump has appointed himself as chairman of a newly formed “Board of Peace” tasked with overseeing the reconstruction, governance, and investment in Gaza. The announcement, made late Friday by the US administration, marks a central element of Trump’s 20-point plan aimed at ending the ongoing war in the region.
The board’s responsibilities include governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilisation. Alongside Trump, members of the board include former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, senior advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and World Bank President Ajay Banga, among other high-profile figures.
The inclusion of Blair and Kushner has already sparked controversy. Blair’s past involvement in the 2003 Iraq invasion and Kushner’s perceived pro-Israel stance are likely to draw scrutiny from Hamas, mediators, and international observers, raising questions about the board’s impartiality in overseeing Gaza’s administration.
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The announcement coincides with the second phase of Trump’s Gaza peace plan, following an initial ceasefire and prisoner-swap agreement in October. This phase focuses on the demilitarisation of Hamas and the creation of a National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), led by Palestinian technocrat Dr Ali Sha’ath, who is described by the White House as “widely respected for his pragmatic, technocratic leadership.”
In parallel, a liaison committee of regional diplomats, including Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari envoy Ali Al Thawadi, is working to establish direct coordination between Hamas and Washington. This committee aims to facilitate communication on governance, reconstruction, and compliance with the peace framework.
The announcement comes amid a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the war has claimed more than 71,000 lives, mostly civilians, and injured over 150,000, according to Gaza Health Ministry figures recognised by the UN. While the ceasefire has largely held since October, sporadic violence has caused over 450 additional fatalities since its implementation.
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