White House on Friday disclosed the composition of the proposed “Board of Peace,” an international body intended under President Donald Trump’s plan to oversee temporary governance in Gaza, where violence persists despite a fragile ceasefire enacted in October.
According to White House announcement, the board will include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and the President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Trump himself will chair the board, as outlined in his plan released late last year.
In October, Israel and the Hamas agreed to Trump’s framework, which stipulates that a Palestinian technocratic administration will be supervised by this international “Board of Peace” during a transitional phase for Gaza.
Additional members named by the White House are private equity billionaire Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Trump adviser Robert Gabriel.
Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov has been designated as the high representative for Gaza. The statement did not detail individual responsibilities for board members.
The proposal has drawn criticism from numerous human rights specialists and advocates, who argue that Trump presiding over a panel governing a foreign territory echoes colonial-era structures. Blair’s inclusion has also been contested due to his involvement in the Iraq war.
Separately, White House confirmed the appointment of Major General Jasper Jeffers, a former US special operations commander, as head of the International Stabilisation Force.
A UN Security Council resolution passed in mid-November authorised the “Board of Peace” and cooperating nations to establish this force in Gaza.
Despite the October truce, Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of violations. Since the ceasefire began, reports indicate over 440 Palestinian fatalities – including more than 100 children – and three Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza.
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since late 2023 has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, triggered a severe hunger crisis, and displaced the enclave’s entire population internally.
Multiple rights experts, academics, and a UN investigation have stated these actions amount to genocide. Israel maintains its operations are acts of self-defense following the October 2023 attack by Hamas, which killed 1,200 people and seized more than 250 hostages.
