Alwaght- The group the US President Donald Trump has recently unveiled to ensure continuation of Gaza ceasefire is dubbed “ Board of Peace”, but it is more like a group of dealers and real estate agents because most of its members are contractors and advisors close to Trump and it seems its main mission is making the most of the current Gaza conditions.
Structure and function of Board of Peace
According to reports, the Board of Peace in Gaza is an administrative transition body chaired by Trump himself. The council consists of a legal international character responsible for determining the framework and coordination of budget for re-development of the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave.
The board operates under UN authorization, stemming from Security Council Resolution 2803 adopted in November. This mandate permits both a "Peace Mission" and various international civilian and security presences in Gaza, remaining valid until December 31, 2027, unless the Security Council alters its decision or approves a renewal with Egypt, Israel, and member states.
As of Friday, three structures were approved by the Security Council for this phase: the Board of Peace, the Palestinian National Gaza Administration Committee led by technocrats, and the International Stabilization Force. However, the White House announced the addition of a fourth structure, the “Gaza Executive Council,” aimed at providing comprehensive support for governance and service delivery in Gaza.
Members of the board
Here is a list published by the White House of the members of the Board of Peace: The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Trump advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner, American billionaire Marc Jeffrey Rowan, the US Deputy National Security Advisor Robert Gabriel, and President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga. According to the White House statement, these people make up the “founding executive board” of the Board of Peace, which also includes a non-American: Ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair who co-invaded Iraq with US President George W. Bush in 2003.
The statement, released two days ago, characterizes the newly formed Palestinian National Committee for Gaza administration as “a vital step” toward implementing the second phase of the 20-point Gaza ceasefire agreement. The White House asserts the Board of Peace will provide strategic guidance, mobilize international resources, and ensure accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development, fulfilling the 20-point Trump plan.
To realize the Board’s vision, a “Founding Executive Board” composed of leaders with expertise in diplomacy, development, infrastructure, and economic strategy has been created. Each board member will oversee specific areas crucial for Gaza’s long-term stability and success, including reconstruction, investment attraction, and budget mobilization.
Further emphasizing the initiative, the statement notes that senior advisors, American Jews Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gronbloom, have been appointed by the head of the Board of Council to lead day-to-day operations, strategic planning, and the Board’s mission and diplomatic priorities – highlighting their central role in the effort.
The statement further says that Nikolai Miladinov, a Bulgarian diplomat who formerly had rejected a post for the UN envoy to Libya, will now serve as the “Senior Representative” for Gaza, bridging the gap between international bodies and Gaza national administration body. The Board of Peace confirmed Miladinov will endorse all aspects of Gaza’s governance while coordinating security and civilian efforts. Simultaneously, former US Special Operations Commander Jasper Jeffers will lead a new International Stabilization Force tasked with overseeing security operations, facilitating disarmament, and ensuring safe access for aid and construction materials.
Israeli calls for resumption of Gaza war
On the other side, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced his official opposition to Trump’s new initiative for Gaza administration, saying that the initiative was not coordinated with Tel Aviv, something showing, according to Israeli media outlets, an open dispute between the two allies.
According SAMA news agency, the statement published by the office of Israeli PM says “there was no cooperation with us about the Board of Peace and we consider this conflicting with the Israeli policies.”
Meanwhile, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has thrown his weight behind Netanyahu against the US plan, saying that Israel needs to resume Gaza war and force the Palestinians out of their land. “Return to all-out military action is the way to realization of the stated war goals,” Ben-Gvir said.
Peace or constructing hotels?
Despite Trump’s claim about peace nature of the new board, many look at his plan with doubt. A New York Times report highlights Trump’s apparent uninterest in military intervention, viewing occupations of Muslim countries as costly and unproductive. Instead, he reportedly favors deals and harbors ambitions for lucrative ventures, including hotels in North Korea and Gaza. Simultaneously, the US appears unwilling to pressure Israel to adhere to ceasefire commitments. US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, stated that Washington is not pushing for the reopening of the Rafah crossing, adding that Israel will not do so until all Israeli captives are released. He further confirmed that a plan to forcefully relocate Gazan residents, which he called voluntary migration, remains an open option. Huckabee, in an interview with the Hebrew newspaper Makor Rishon, emphasized Israel’s insistence on recovering the remains of the last Israeli prisoner before Rafah reopens.
Asked about displacement of Gazans, Huckabee said he does not think this plan is put aside. Denying that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is disastrous, he said that if people want to leave Gaza, they will get the chance. It is about countries having decided to take them in.
