Blair and Rubio among names on senior executive of Gaza 'Board of Peace'

January 17, 2026

The Trump administration has established a "Board of Peace" governance structure for Gaza, consisting of multiple administrative tiers led by Trump as chairman. The founding executive board includes high-profile figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Jared Kushner, and several business and financial leaders who will focus on investment and diplomacy. A separate Gaza Executive Board will manage on-the-ground operations through a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee responsible for daily governance.

Who is affected

The 2.1 million Palestinians living in Gaza
Israeli citizens (three soldiers killed since ceasefire; previously affected by October 7, 2023 attack)
Nearly 450 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began
Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups facing disarmament requirements
The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) - a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee
Board members including Marco Rubio, Tony Blair, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Marc Rowan, Ajay Banga, and Robert Gabriel
International leaders invited to join (Canadian PM Mark Carney, Argentinian President Javier Milei, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi)

What action is being taken

The Board of Peace structure is being formed to oversee Gaza's reconstruction and governance
Phase two of the US peace plan is underway, involving reconstruction and full demilitarization of Gaza
An International Stabilisation Force (ISF) led by US Major General Jasper Jeffers is being deployed to train Palestinian police forces and establish security
A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is in effect (though fragile)
Aid is being surged into Gaza as part of phase one implementation
The NCAG is managing day-to-day governance of post-war Gaza

Why it matters

This represents a significant US-led intervention in Gaza's post-war governance and reconstruction, potentially reshaping the territory's political and administrative structure outside traditional Palestinian Authority control. The involvement of international figures and multiple governance layers signals an unprecedented approach to managing Gaza's future, with implications for Palestinian self-determination and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The fragile ceasefire and ongoing violence demonstrate the precarious nature of peace efforts, while dire humanitarian conditions affecting over two million Palestinians require urgent sustained international attention. The success or failure of this governance experiment could influence regional stability and set precedents for future conflict resolution approaches in the Middle East.

What's next

Full formation and formal announcement of the Board of Peace heads of government members
Hamas must comply with obligations including returning the body of the last dead Israeli hostage, or face "serious consequences"
Continued disarmament of Hamas and other Palestinian groups as part of phase two demilitarization
Deployment and operations of the International Stabilisation Force in Gaza
Ongoing reconstruction efforts overseen by the various boards and committees
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will accept invitation to join the board
Egypt is studying the invitation extended to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

Read full article from source: BBC