The White House on Friday announced the members of a so-called “Board of Peace” that will supervise the temporary governance of Gaza under President Donald Trump’s plan, as the Palestinian enclave continues to be rocked by deadly violence despite a fragile ceasefire that took effect in October. The announcement formalizes a controversial international structure that places the U.S. president at the center of Gaza’s postwar administration.
According to the White House, the board will be chaired by Trump and include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Additional members named include billionaire private equity executive Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Trump adviser Robert Gabriel. Former United Nations Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov will serve as high representative for Gaza. The administration did not specify the individual responsibilities of each board member.
The board is a core element of a plan revealed by Trump late last year and signed off on in October by Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas. The proposal envisions a Palestinian technocratic body managing day-to-day affairs in Gaza under the oversight of the international board during a transitional period, following more than a year of devastating war.
The White House also announced the appointment of Major General Jasper Jeffers, a former U.S. special operations commander, as head of an International Stabilization Force. A United Nations Security Council resolution adopted in mid-November authorized the Board of Peace and participating countries to establish such a force in Gaza, giving the initiative international legal backing despite deep political divisions.
The announcement comes as the ceasefire in Gaza shows signs of strain. Israel and Hamas have accused each other of repeated violations since the truce began. Since October, more than 440 Palestinians, including over 100 children, and three Israeli soldiers have been reported killed, underscoring the volatility of the situation even under a formal halt to large-scale hostilities.
Trump’s plan and the structure of the board have drawn sharp criticism from human rights experts and advocates. Many have argued that a U.S.-led body supervising the governance of a foreign territory resembles a colonial-style arrangement rather than a genuine path to self-determination. Tony Blair’s inclusion has also proven contentious, with critics pointing to his role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq as raising serious questions about credibility and judgment in post-conflict governance.
The broader context remains one of profound humanitarian catastrophe. Israel’s assault on Gaza since late 2023 has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, triggered a severe hunger crisis and displaced the territory’s entire population internally. Multiple human rights experts, legal scholars and a United Nations inquiry have concluded that Israel’s actions amount to genocide, a charge Israel rejects. Israeli officials say the campaign was launched in self-defense after Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and abducted more than 250 hostages during their October 2023 attack.
As international scrutiny intensifies, the newly announced Board of Peace faces the daunting task of asserting authority and legitimacy in a territory shattered by war and mistrust. Whether the body can stabilize Gaza or instead deepen political resentment may depend less on its prominent membership and more on whether Palestinians see it as a bridge to self-rule or another layer of external control imposed amid ongoing bloodshed.
