In a major move to steer the next phase of post-war reconstruction in the Middle East, the White House formally unveiled its “Board of Peace” on Friday, a high-profile oversight body tasked with managing Gaza’s transition to a new administration.
Chaired by President Donald Trump, the board assembles a mix of seasoned diplomats, financial heavyweights, and trusted loyalists. The roster includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and the president’s son-in-law and former senior advisor, Jared Kushner.
“The United States remains fully committed to supporting this transitional framework, working in close partnership with Israel, key Arab nations, and the international community to achieve the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan,” Friday’s White House release said.
The formation of the board marks a significant shift into “Phase Two” of the administration’s broader 20-point peace plan. While a newly formed Palestinian technocratic committee—the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG)—will handle day-to-day governance on the ground, this new international board will operate from above to direct strategy, secure funding, and ensure political stability.
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A Mix of Diplomacy and Finance
The selection of board members signals a dual focus on geopolitical maneuvering and massive capital injection.
Alongside political figures like Rubio and Blair, the President tapped major financial players to drive the economic revitalization of the strip. Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management, and Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, have been brought on to steer investment. They are joined by Steve Witkoff, a real estate developer serving as special envoy to the region, and Robert Gabriel, a key administration advisor.
According to the White House, the board isn’t just a symbolic body. A statement released Friday detailed that each member will control a specific “defined portfolio” essential to the region’s recovery. These responsibilities cover a wide range of critical sectors, including “governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilization.”
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Boots on the Ground
To bridge the gap between this high-level board and the reality in Gaza, former UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov has been appointed as the “High Representative for Gaza.” He will serve as the operational link between Trump’s board and the Palestinian technocratic committee led by Ali Shaath.
Security remains a separate but parallel pillar of the plan. Major General Jasper Jeffers was named commander of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), which is tasked with the complex job of demilitarization and maintaining order as the reconstruction efforts begin.
The administration has indicated that the roster is not yet finalized, with President Trump expected to announce further appointments in the coming weeks. For now, the “Board of Peace” represents the White House’s most significant step yet in attempting to turn a fragile ceasefire into a durable, internationally funded recovery.
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