U.S. President Donald Trump has positioned himself as chair of a newly formed international “Board of Peace” intended to oversee Gaza under a transitional technocratic administration, with the initiative eventually targeting conflict resolution in other global hotspots, according to diplomats and White House officials.
Reuters reported on Sunday that the White House revealed some initial members of the board, which was first outlined in an October plan, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. More appointments are expected in the coming weeks.
Trump, in a recent interview, described the initiative as a “bold new approach” that will begin with Gaza and expand to “other countries that are going to war with each other.”
The plan, agreed to by Israel and Hamas, calls for a Palestinian technocratic administration to be supervised temporarily by the international board.
A separate 11-member Gaza Executive Board has also been established, including Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, U.N. Middle East peace coordinator Sigrid Kaag, UAE International Cooperation Minister Reem Al-Hashimy, and Israeli-Cypriot billionaire Yakir Gabay.
However, Israel has raised objections to the composition of the Gaza Executive Board, particularly regarding Turkish involvement, claiming the appointments were made without coordination and contradict Israeli policy.
Critics of the board have warned that placing Trump in a governance role over Gaza resembles a colonial-style intervention. Blair’s inclusion has also been contentious due to his role in the Iraq war and the history of British involvement in the Middle East.
The board’s membership currently includes no Palestinians, and the White House has not outlined the specific responsibilities of each member.
France, Germany, Australia, Canada, Egypt, Turkey, and the European Union have reportedly been invited to join, with EU representation expected from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Private sector figures such as billionaire Marc Rowan and World Bank President Ajay Banga are also part of the initiative, alongside former U.N. envoy Nikolay Mladenov, who will serve as high representative for Gaza.
The plan includes the establishment of an International Stabilization Force for Gaza, commanded by U.S. Army Major General Jasper Jeffers, following authorization in a mid-November U.N. Security Council resolution.
Gaza has experienced a fragile ceasefire since October 2023, following a violent escalation in which more than 450 Palestinians, including over 100 children, and three Israeli soldiers were reported killed.
The conflict has caused widespread displacement, food insecurity, and tens of thousands of deaths since the 2023 outbreak, with human rights organisations and a U.N. inquiry warning of potential genocide.
Trump described the board as a “Trump United Nations” initiative intended to tackle global conflicts through an unconventional, U.S.-led structure. Critics argue that it bypasses established international norms and could further inflame tensions in the region. - January 18, 2026
