Blair and Rubio among names on Gaza 'Board of Peace'

Blair and Rubio among names on Gaza 'Board of Peace'

The Trump administration has introduced a new initiative aimed at stabilizing Gaza by establishing a “Board of Peace.” This board includes several high-profile figures such as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, who is recognized as one of the founding members. Alongside them, President Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, have also been appointed to the founding executive board, according to a White House announcement released on Friday.

President Trump will serve as the chairman of this board, which is a pivotal element of his comprehensive 20-point strategy designed to resolve the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The newly formed board is tasked with temporarily assuming responsibility for governing Gaza and overseeing its reconstruction efforts. Other notable members include Marc Rowan, the private equity firm leader; Ajay Banga, head of the World Bank; and Robert Gabriel, a US national security adviser. Each individual will manage portfolios deemed essential for the long-term stabilization and recovery of Gaza.

In addition to these appointments, the administration has established a separate 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee called the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). This committee will handle the day-to-day administration of Gaza following the conflict. Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority, has been selected to lead this group. To liaise on the ground, the board will be represented by Nickolay Mladenov, a former UN Middle East envoy. There will also be an International Stabilisation Force (ISF), led by US Major General Jasper Jeffers, tasked with supporting Palestinian police forces to maintain security and create a terror-free environment.

The peace process entered its second phase following a ceasefire agreement in October, which included a hostage exchange, partial Israeli withdrawal, and an influx of humanitarian aid. Nevertheless, tensions persist as Hamas and Israel continue to accuse each other of ceasefire violations. Since the truce began, nearly 450 Palestinians have reportedly died from Israeli strikes, while Israel has lost three soldiers to Palestinian attacks. The humanitarian situation remains critical, with the UN emphasizing the urgent need for unobstructed access to essential supplies. The conflict originally broke out in early October 2023 after a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel that resulted in significant casualties and hostages, with the death toll in Gaza rising to over 71,000 according to Hamas-run health authorities

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