Trump Announces “Board of Peace” to Oversee Transitional Governance of Gaza

The White House on Friday officially announced the members of the so-called “Board of Peace,” a new international body proposed under President Donald Trump’s plan to supervise the temporary governance of Gaza. The announcement comes as Gaza continues to experience deadly violence despite a fragile ceasefire that went into effect in October between Israel and Hamas.

According to the White House, President Trump will serve as chair of the Board of Peace. The board’s members include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former senior adviser. Additional members named are billionaire private equity executive Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Trump adviser Robert Gabriel. Former United Nations Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov has been appointed as high representative for Gaza under the plan.

Trump’s proposal, first revealed late last year, outlines the creation of a Palestinian technocratic governing body that would operate under the supervision of the Board of Peace during a transitional period. Israel and Hamas signed off on the framework in October, making the ceasefire contingent on the plan’s implementation. The White House statement did not provide detailed responsibilities for each board member.

The plan has drawn criticism from human rights experts and advocacy groups, many of whom argue that a U.S.-led board overseeing Gaza resembles a colonial-style governance structure. Tony Blair’s inclusion has also been controversial due to his role in the Iraq war. Supporters of the plan, however, argue that international oversight is necessary to stabilize Gaza after prolonged conflict.

In addition, Major General Jasper Jeffers, a former U.S. special operations commander, has been appointed to lead the International Stabilization Force in Gaza. This force was authorized by a United Nations Security Council resolution adopted in mid-November.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violations. Since October, more than 440 Palestinians, including over 100 children, and three Israeli soldiers have reportedly been killed. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since late 2023 has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, widespread displacement, and a severe humanitarian crisis. Multiple rights organizations and a U.N. inquiry have described the situation as genocide, a claim Israel rejects, saying it acted in self-defense following the October 2023 Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 people and resulted in over 250 hostages.