In a major Breaking News update, the Trump administration has announced the formation of a new body called the “Board of Peace” to help guide Gaza toward stability after months of devastating war. The board is part of former US President Donald Trump’s wider 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and Hamas and rebuilding Gaza once fighting stops.
Among the most notable names on the board are US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair. Their inclusion has already sparked global debate and strong reactions across political and diplomatic circles.
This announcement has quickly become part of the Latest News and Daily news highlights, as it could shape the future of Gaza and the wider Middle East.
Key Leaders Named to the Founding Board
According to a White House statement released on Friday, the Board of Peace will be led directly by Donald Trump, who will serve as its chairman. The founding executive board includes several high-profile figures with experience in politics, diplomacy, security, and finance.
Other members include:
- Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy
- Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former senior adviser
- Marc Rowan, head of a major private equity firm
- Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank
- Robert Gabriel, a US national security adviser
Each board member will be responsible for a specific role that the White House says is “critical to Gaza’s stabilisation and long-term success.”
Trump described the group as the most prestigious board ever assembled, claiming it brings together unmatched experience and influence.
Tony Blair’s Role Raises Debate
Sir Tony Blair’s appointment has drawn particular attention. Blair served as UK prime minister from 1997 to 2007 and played a key role in taking Britain into the Iraq War in 2003. Because of this, some politicians and analysts have questioned whether he is the right figure for Gaza-related talks.
However, Blair also has deep experience in peace negotiations. After leaving office, he served as the Middle East envoy for the Quartet — which includes the US, EU, Russia, and the United Nations. During that time, he worked on economic development in Palestine and supported efforts toward a two-state solution.
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting admitted that Blair’s involvement may “raise some eyebrows,” but also pointed out Blair’s success in helping broker the Good Friday Agreement, which ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland.
New Gaza Administration and Security Plan
Alongside the Board of Peace, the US has also supported the creation of a separate Palestinian technocratic body known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). This 15-member committee will manage Gaza’s day-to-day governance once the war ends.
The NCAG will be led by Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority. Meanwhile, Nickolay Mladenov, a former UN Middle East envoy, will represent the Board of Peace on the ground in Gaza and coordinate with local authorities.
Security will be handled by an International Stabilisation Force (ISF). The force will train and support vetted Palestinian police units to ensure law and order. US Major General Jasper Jeffers has been appointed to lead this mission, with the goal of creating a “durable terror-free environment.”
Ceasefire, Casualties, and Humanitarian Crisis
Trump’s peace plan officially came into force in October and has now entered its second phase. The first phase included a ceasefire agreement, hostage and prisoner exchanges, partial Israeli troop withdrawal, and an increase in humanitarian aid.
However, the ceasefire remains fragile. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violations. According to Gaza’s health ministry, nearly 450 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began. The Israeli military says three of its soldiers have died in attacks by Palestinian groups during the same period.
The United Nations has warned that humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain extremely severe. Food, medicine, fuel, and clean water are still in short supply, and aid agencies are calling for unrestricted access to deliver essential supplies.
What Lies Ahead for Gaza?
Phase two of the peace plan focuses on the full reconstruction and demilitarisation of Gaza. This includes the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups. Witkoff has warned that failure to meet these obligations will lead to “serious consequences.”
The war began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, more than 71,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in Israeli military operations.
As global attention remains fixed on Gaza, the success or failure of Trump’s peace plan could shape the future of millions of lives. For now, uncertainty remains, but the world is watching closely as this ambitious effort moves forward.
