Blair and Rubio Appointed to Gaza Peace Board

The Trump administration has officially announced the inclusion of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair as key founding members of its newly established ‘Board of Peace’ focused on Gaza.

According to a statement released by the White House on Friday, Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, will also serve on the board’s founding executive committee.

Trump will lead the board, which is a crucial component of his ambitious 20-point initiative aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

This board is expected to take temporary control over Gaza’s administration and oversee its reconstruction efforts.

Joining the executive board are notable figures including Marc Rowan, a private equity executive, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and US National Security Advisor Robert Gabriel.

The White House stated that each board member will hold a portfolio essential for Gaza’s stabilization and long-term viability.

On Thursday, Trump referred to the formation of the board as the ‘Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place.’

Additional members of the board are anticipated to be announced in the upcoming weeks.

Sir Tony Blair served as Prime Minister of the UK from 1997 to 2007 and played a significant role in the Iraq War in 2003. After his tenure, he took on the position of Middle East envoy for the Quartet of international powers, which includes the US, EU, Russia, and the UN.

In this capacity, he concentrated on fostering economic growth in Palestine and facilitating conditions conducive to a two-state solution.

Blair has previously engaged in high-stakes discussions concerning Gaza’s prospects with the US and other stakeholders. In August, he participated in a White House meeting with Trump to explore comprehensive plans for the region, as described by Witkoff.

In September, Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed concerns about Blair’s involvement in these discussions due to his history related to the Iraq War, suggesting it might ‘raise some eyebrows.’

Nevertheless, Streeting acknowledged Blair’s pivotal role in negotiating the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which brought an end to the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

He remarked, ‘If he can apply those considerable skills in diplomacy and statecraft, that would be beneficial.’

This announcement comes alongside the establishment of a separate 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), tasked with overseeing the daily governance of Gaza in the aftermath of the conflict.

Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority, will lead this new committee.

The statement further noted that Nickolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian politician and former UN envoy for the Middle East, would serve as the board’s representative on the ground in Gaza, collaborating with the NCAG.

Trump’s plan indicates that an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) will be deployed to Gaza to provide training and support to vetted Palestinian police forces. The White House also announced that US Major General Jasper Jeffers would be at the helm of this force, which aims to ‘establish security, preserve peace, and create a sustainable terror-free environment.’

Additionally, the White House revealed plans for a separate ‘Gaza executive board’ designed to support governance, which will include some members from the founding executive board and additional appointees.

Having come into effect in October, the US peace initiative has entered its second phase, yet uncertainties persist regarding the future of Gaza and the 2.1 million Palestinians residing there.

In the initial phase, a ceasefire agreement was reached between Hamas and Israel in October, accompanied by a hostage-prisoner exchange, a partial withdrawal by Israel, and an increase in humanitarian aid.

Earlier this week, Witkoff indicated that the second phase will focus on the reconstruction of Gaza and the complete demilitarization of the region, which includes disarming Hamas and other Palestinian factions.

‘The US expects Hamas to fully comply with its obligations,’ he stated, emphasizing that this includes the return of the last deceased Israeli hostage. ‘Failure to comply will result in severe consequences.’

Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high, with both parties accusing one another of breaching the agreement.

As reported by Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, nearly 450 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli airstrikes since the ceasefire began, while the Israeli military reports that three of its soldiers were killed by Palestinian attacks during the same timeframe.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, as highlighted by the UN, which has underscored the urgent need for the free flow of essential supplies.

The current conflict in Gaza erupted following a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 individuals taken hostage.

According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 71,260 people have died as a result of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza since that date.