Trump's New Board of Peace: Key Figures in Gaza's Future

Sat Jan 17 2026 16:41:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The White House has unveiled the members of Trump’s 'Board of Peace' aimed at overseeing Gaza's temporary governance and reconstruction. The founding executive board includes notable figures like Tony Blair and Marco Rubio, among others.

In a significant announcement, the Trump administration revealed its 'Board of Peace' for Gaza, led by President Trump and featuring high-profile members like former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The board will supervise a committee tasked with governing Gaza and managing its reconstruction, though the absence of women and Palestinians at the top level has raised questions. Members will focus on critical portfolios to aid Gaza's stabilization, with further announcements expected soon.

The White House has released the names of the members who will form the Trump administration's new Board of Peace for Gaza.

With the US president as chair, the founding Executive Board will oversee the work of a committee of technocrats tasked with the temporary governance of Gaza - and its reconstruction.

Each member of the executive board is expected to be in charge of a portfolio that will be critical to Gaza's stabilisation, the White House added. But it is not yet clear who will be responsible for which priorities.

No women and no Palestinians have been announced at this top level, but the White House said additional members will be announced over the coming weeks.

So, who is on the founding Executive Board?

Sir Tony Blair

Former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair had long been talked about as a potential member of Trump's Board of Peace, with the US president confirming back in September that he had expressed an interest in joining the body.

The former Labour Party leader was the UK prime minister from 1997 to 2007 and took the country into the Iraq War in 2003, a decision that may make his presence on the board controversial.

After leaving office, he served as Middle East envoy for the Quartet of international powers - the United Nations, European Union, US, and Russia - from 2007 to 2015.

Sir Tony is the only founding member of the executive board who is not a US citizen.

Marco Rubio

As US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio is central to the Trump administration's approach to foreign policy.

Before Trump's return to office, Rubio had spoken out against a ceasefire in Gaza, suggesting he wanted Israel to destroy every element of Hamas they can get their hands on.

Recently, Rubio praised the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal signed in October as the best plan.

Steve Witkoff

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff will also be on the board.

Earlier this month, Witkoff announced the start of phase two of Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza, emphasizing reconstruction and disarmament.

Jared Kushner

Jared Kushner, the US president's son-in-law, has also played a key role in international negotiations under Trump.

Marc Rowan

Billionaire Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management, is seen as a key financial player in the board.

Ajay Banga

Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank, brings a wealth of experience from his career in finance and advising political leaders.

Robert Gabriel

Robert Gabriel, a US national security adviser, will round out the board.

Nickolay Mladenov

Nickolay Mladenov will represent the board on the ground in Gaza, overseeing a separate 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with governance.