US President Donald Trump on Friday assigned former British prime minister Tony Blair a central role in shaping post-war Gaza, while also appointing a senior US officer to lead a new international security force.
Trump unveiled the membership of a “Board of Peace”, a body dominated by Americans, tasked with supervising Gaza’s reconstruction and governance.
The announcement came shortly after a Palestinian technocratic committee convened its first meeting in Cairo, attended by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who continues to play a pivotal role in Middle East affairs.
Trump, who declared himself chair of the board, confirmed that Blair would serve alongside Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Trump’s longtime business associate Steve Witkoff, now a roving negotiator.
Blair’s appointment is controversial due to his role in the 2003 Iraq invasion. Trump acknowledged last year that he wanted Blair to be an “acceptable choice to everybody.”
After leaving office in 2007, Blair spent years as the representative of the Middle East Quartet — the UN, EU, US, and Russia — focusing on Israeli-Palestinian issues.
According to the White House, the board will oversee governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilisation.
Other members include Ajay Banga, World Bank President; billionaire financier Marc Rowan; and Robert Gabriel, a Trump aide serving on the National Security Council.
Security Force
Trump also appointed US Major General Jasper Jeffers to head the International Stabilization Force, which will provide security in Gaza and train a new police force to replace Hamas.
Jeffers previously oversaw ceasefire monitoring between Lebanon and Israel in 2024.
The US has been seeking international contributions to the force, with Indonesia volunteering early. However, diplomats warn that troop commitments will be difficult until Hamas agrees to fully disarm.
Israel’s military confirmed fresh strikes on Gaza Friday, citing a “blatant violation” of the October ceasefire.
The attacks came even as Washington announced the Gaza plan had entered its second phase — moving from ceasefire implementation to disarming Hamas, whose October 2023 assault triggered Israel’s massive offensive.
The Gaza governing committee, led by Ali Shaath, a native of Gaza and former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority, held its first session in Cairo.
Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov was appointed high representative to liaise between the committee and Trump’s Board of Peace.
Committee members are expected to reconvene Saturday, with plans to move operations to Gaza in the coming weeks.
Advisory Board
Trump also announced a second executive board with an advisory role. Members include Blair, Witkoff, Mladenov, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
Israel has rejected Turkey’s participation in the security force due to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s sharp criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza.
The advisory board will also feature representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020.
In a notable inclusion, Trump named Sigrid Kaag, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Gaza, despite his administration’s efforts to sideline the UN.
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“declared himself”, it is well even inside the well.