The Trump administration has unveiled its « Board of Peace » for overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction and governance. With Trump as chair, this governing body will supervise a committee of Palestinian technocrats managing Gaza’s temporary administration and rebuilding efforts. Each board member will handle portfolios deemed essential to Gaza’s stabilisation, though specific responsibilities remain unclear at present.
Sir Tony Blair, the former British Prime Minister, brings decades of diplomatic experience to the initiative. Blair led the UK from 1997 to 2007 and initiated the Iraq War in 2003—a legacy some view with controversy. After his premiership, he served as Middle East envoy for the Quartet coalition of the United Nations, European Union, United States, and Russia between 2007 and 2015. He is the sole non-American founding board member. Blair has previously characterised Trump’s Gaza strategy as « the best chance » of ending prolonged conflict.
Marco Rubio, the current US Secretary of State, shapes Trump’s foreign policy agenda directly. Prior to returning to office, Rubio opposed Gaza ceasefires and advocated for Israel to « destroy every element of Hamas ». However, his position has evolved. He now endorses the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement initiated in October as « the best » and « only » viable plan. In October, Rubio also criticised Israeli parliamentary efforts toward annexing the occupied West Bank.
Steve Witkoff, a real estate developer and Trump’s golf associate, holds the position of Special Envoy to the Middle East. Earlier this month, he announced the commencement of phase two of Trump’s Gaza strategy, emphasizing reconstruction and complete demilitarisation including Hamas disarmament. Witkoff warned that Hamas must « comply fully » or face « serious consequences ». Beyond Gaza, he has significantly influenced Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations, including a five-hour December meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, has been instrumental in foreign policy mediation alongside Witkoff. Both have worked as negotiators in the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza conflicts. In November, Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address contentious peace agreement provisions. At a 2024 Harvard presentation, Kushner suggested Gaza’s waterfront could become economically valuable if development priorities shifted toward livelihood building.
Marc Rowan, head of Apollo Global Management, a prominent New York-based private equity company, joins as the board’s financial sector representative. Prior to his current appointment, Rowan was considered a serious contender for the position of US Treasury Secretary in Trump’s second administration.
Ajay Banga, currently leading the World Bank, brings extensive international finance expertise. Born in India in 1959 and naturalised as a US citizen in 2007, Banga previously served as Mastercard’s chief executive for over a decade. His career has included advisory roles to senior American politicians, including former President Barack Obama. Former President Joe Biden selected him as World Bank president in 2023.
Robert Gabriel, a national security adviser, completes the founding executive board. Gabriel has advised Trump since his 2016 campaign, subsequently becoming a special assistant to Stephen Miller, one of Trump’s principal contemporary advisers, according to PBS reporting.
Nickolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian politician and former UN Middle East envoy, will serve as the board’s on-site Gaza representative. Mladenov will oversee the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a 15-member Palestinian technocratic body responsible for managing post-war Gaza’s daily governance. Ali Shaath, a former Palestinian Authority deputy minister, will lead the NCAG, which oversees regions within the occupied West Bank not under direct Israeli control.
