US President Donald Trump on Friday announced key appointments to oversee post-war Gaza, naming former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to a US-dominated board tasked with supervising reconstruction and governance, while appointing a US officer to lead a new security force in the territory.
The moves come as Gaza struggles to recover from more than two years of relentless Israeli bombardment. Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace” will address governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, and large-scale funding, according to the White House.
Blair, who has been a controversial figure in the Middle East due to his role in the 2003 Iraq invasion, has spent years working on Israeli-Palestinian issues as the Quartet’s envoy — representing the UN, EU, US, and Russia. Trump described him as an “acceptable choice to everybody.”
Other members of the board include Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s business partner Steve Witkoff, World Bank President Ajay Banga, billionaire financier Marc Rowan, and Robert Gabriel, a National Security Council aide.
Trump also appointed US Major General Jasper Jeffers to head the International Stabilization Force, responsible for providing security in Gaza and training a new police force to replace Hamas. Jeffers previously monitored the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel in 2024. The US has sought international contributions to the force, with Indonesia volunteering early, though diplomats warn troop deployments may face obstacles without Hamas disarmament.
The governance structure in Gaza also includes a Palestinian technocrats’ committee, chaired by former Palestinian Authority deputy minister Ali Shaath, which held its first meeting in Cairo attended by Kushner and Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, who will liaise between the committee and Trump’s board.
A second “executive board,” intended to play an advisory role, will include Blair, Witkoff, Mladenov, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and senior representatives from Egypt, Qatar, the UAE, and UN humanitarian coordinator Sigrid Kaag. Israel has objected to Turkey’s participation due to tensions with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The announcement coincided with renewed Israeli airstrikes in Gaza in response to what its military described as a “blatant violation” of the October ceasefire. Trump’s plan moves to a second phase, shifting focus from implementing the ceasefire to disarming Hamas, whose October 2023 attack on Israel triggered the extensive Israeli offensive.
Gaza officials said the committee plans to travel to the territory soon, emphasizing the need for on-the-ground engagement. Trump’s proposals reflect his controversial vision of Gaza’s future, including economic development and reconstruction amid ongoing political and security challenges.
