Blair Joins Carney and Rubio on Trump’s Gaza Peace Board
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Canada’s Mark Carney, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have joined the newly formed “Board of Peace.” This board will supervise the reconstruction of Gaza following the devastation caused by prolonged conflicts between Israel and Hamas.
Key Objectives of the Board of Peace
This initiative aims to facilitate the demilitarization and rebuilding of Gaza. The board, chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump, is part of a broader, United Nations-backed American strategy. This plan emphasizes stabilization and long-term prosperity for the region.
Executive Board Members
The founding members of the board include:
- Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister
- Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister
- Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State
- Steve Witkoff, foreign-policy envoy
- Robert Gabriel, deputy national security adviser
- Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law
- Marc Rowan, billionaire businessman
- Ajay Banga, World Bank head
Additional members will be announced later, as indicated in a White House statement.
Gaza Governance Structure
The governance of Gaza will be overseen by a separate Palestinian technocratic committee, which consists of 15 members. This committee aims to restore essential public services and stabilize life in Gaza. Dr. Ali Sha’ath will lead this committee, bringing prior experience from the Palestinian Authority.
High Representative and External Oversight
Nickolay Mladenov, a former UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, has been appointed as the high representative for Gaza. Under the U.S.-brokered agreement, this committee will function until the Palestinian Authority can take over governance.
Challenges from Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed opposition to the involvement of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. Israel reportedly retains veto power over committee members, ensuring that neither Hamas nor Palestinian Authority affiliates are included. Reports indicate that the Israeli internal security agency, Shin Bet, has approved the current list of committee members.
Regional Support
A separate “Gaza executive board” has also been established, which includes representatives from Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. This body aims to further assist with governance and support the efforts initiated by the Board of Peace.
The establishment of the Board of Peace marks a significant step in international efforts to stabilize Gaza and support its reconstruction. It will be crucial to see how the local governance and international oversight work together in the coming months.
