US President Donald Trump to chair ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza Plan; who are the other executive members?

US President Donald Trump announced the establishment of a new executive body aimed at guiding post-war stabilization and reconstruction efforts in Gaza, and its founding members include senior American and international figures. The initiative, which the White House has described as a pillar of Washington’s Gaza peace framework, comes as the plan enters its second phase.

Senior Appointments

According to the official statement released on Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair will serve as founding members of the so-called Gaza “peace board”. They are joined by Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law and former advisor Jared Kushner, and World Bank President Ajay Banga. Trump will chair the seven-member board, and two more appointments are expected in the coming weeks.

The president praised the group in characteristically enthusiastic words, calling it the most distinguished body ever assembled. He has previously emphasized that appointees must be widely acceptable to all stakeholders involved in the conflict.

Regional Sensitivities

Blair’s involvement is already drawing attention in the Middle East, where his support for the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq remains deeply controversial. Observers say his role could complicate regional trust-building efforts, although U.S. officials argue his experience in conflict mediation adds value to the board.

Governance and Security in Gaza

The announcement follows the unveiling of the board a day earlier, a long-awaited element as part of the second phase of the US-backed road map to end the Gaza war. In parallel, a separate 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee was created to handle day-to-day administration in Gaza after the conflict. The committee will be chaired by Ali Shaath, a Gazan resident and former deputy minister of the Palestinian Authority.

On the security front, Trump appointed US Major General Jasper Jeffers to head the International Stabilization Force, which is expected to play a key role in maintaining order during the transition period.

Ceasefire Under Tension

The peace plan first came into effect on October 10, leading to the release of hostages held by Hamas and a pause in large-scale fighting between Israel and the Palestinian group. But as the second phase begins, reports of aid shortages and occasional violence continue. The fact that Hamas has not yet publicly accepted full disarmament, a condition that Israel sees as necessary for a permanent solution, raises questions about the durability of the process.