US President Donald Trump has announced the formation of a new Gaza “Board of Peace”, naming former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and his son-in-law Jared Kushner as key members. The decision has ignited widespread criticism from Palestinians, human rights advocates, and international observers who question both the legitimacy and intent of a US-led governance and reconstruction framework for Gaza.
The White House says the board will oversee the implementation of Trump’s 20-point plan aimed at ending Israel’s war on Gaza and transitioning the territory toward what Washington describes as “stabilization, demilitarization, and reconstruction”. However, the announcement comes amid continued Israeli military operations, a deep humanitarian crisis, and ongoing restrictions on aid entering the enclave.
Who Sits on the Gaza ‘Board of Peace’
According to the White House, the Board of Peace will act as the top-level oversight body guiding Gaza’s political and economic transition. Alongside Blair and Kushner, the board includes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and US Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel.
The board’s mandate covers governance capacity-building, reconstruction planning, investment attraction, and large-scale funding and capital mobilization. Washington says these efforts are intended to lay the groundwork for Gaza’s long-term recovery after more than two years of devastating war.
Parallel Executive Structures for Gaza Governance
In addition to the Board of Peace, Trump has approved the creation of a Gaza Executive Board to manage on-the-ground governance and essential services during the transition period. Blair, Kushner, and Witkoff are also members of this body, alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari diplomat Ali Al Thawadi.
A technocratic National Committee for the Administration of Gaza will handle day-to-day administration, led by Ali Shaath, a former Palestinian Authority deputy minister from Gaza currently based in the occupied West Bank. Hamas has previously indicated willingness to step back from governing responsibilities under certain conditions, though it has not formally responded to the board’s composition.
Military and Security Dimension
The plan also includes a significant security component. The White House has appointed US Major General Jasper Jeffers as commander of an International Stabilisation Force for Gaza. The force would oversee security operations, humanitarian aid delivery, and what Washington terms “comprehensive demilitarization”.
While the US has long backed Israel’s demand that Hamas disarm, Palestinian factions have insisted that any such step would require concrete guarantees, including an end to Israeli attacks and meaningful political outcomes.
Why Blair and Kushner Are Controversial Picks
The inclusion of Tony Blair has drawn intense scrutiny. Blair, who served as British prime minister from 1997 to 2007, remains a deeply polarizing figure in the Middle East due to his central role in supporting the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. Critics argue that his past association with the “war on terror” undermines his credibility as a neutral peace broker.
Jared Kushner’s appointment has also fuelled outrage. As Trump’s former Middle East adviser, Kushner played a key role in the Abraham Accords and has repeatedly expressed hardline views on Palestinians, including past remarks questioning their capacity for self-governance. His family’s close ties to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Gaza, have further deepened concerns.
UN Involvement and Questions of Legitimacy
The White House has sought to bolster the initiative’s credibility by appointing Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov as High Representative for Gaza. Mladenov previously served as the United Nations’ top envoy to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, signalling a limited UN role within the US-led framework.
Analysts say UN involvement will be essential if the project is to gain international legitimacy, especially given years of strained relations between Washington and UN agencies over Gaza and Israel. Without meaningful multilateral backing, critics warn the board risks being viewed as an imposed trusteeship rather than a genuine peace mechanism.
Palestinian and International Criticism
Opposition to the Board of Peace has been swift. Palestinian activists and former Western officials argue that Gaza’s future cannot be dictated by external powers, particularly those seen as complicit in the war. Critics say the board reflects a broader pattern of sidelining Palestinian self-determination in favour of security-driven and investment-focused solutions.
Human rights advocates have also questioned how reconstruction can proceed while Israeli military operations continue and humanitarian access remains restricted, despite a US-brokered ceasefire framework announced in late 2025.
A Defining Test for Trump’s Gaza Plan
The creation of the Board of Peace marks a critical moment in Trump’s approach to Gaza, moving from ceasefire diplomacy toward an ambitious, highly centralized plan for post-war governance. Supporters argue it could unlock funding, coordination, and reconstruction at scale. Detractors counter that the board’s composition and mandate reflect power politics rather than peacebuilding.
As Gaza remains buried under millions of tonnes of rubble and tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, the success or failure of Trump’s initiative will likely hinge on one fundamental question: whether peace and reconstruction can be imposed from above, or must emerge from Palestinian consent and genuine international accountability.
