Announcements Leave Many Questions for Trump's 'Board of Peace' for Gaza : Shared by Tom McDermott

Trump's "Board of Peace" for Gaza Raises Questions About International Participation and UN Role

Authors: Aaron Boxerman, Chris Cameron, David Smith, Robert Mackey

Publications: The New York Times, The Guardian

Date: January 16-17, 2026

Click here for the Guardian article, and here and here for the NY Times articles

Summary:

President Trump has established a "Board of Peace" to oversee Gaza's reconstruction and governance, announcing a seven-member founding executive board overwhelmingly dominated by Americans. The board, which Trump will chair, includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, World Bank president Ajay Banga, billionaire Marc Rowan, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as the sole non-American member. A second 11-member "Gaza Executive Board" includes broader international representation in an operational supporting role, while a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee headed by Ali Sha'ath will manage day-to-day affairs.

The Gaza Executive Board includes two UN officials: Sigrid Kaag, UN special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, and Nickolay Mladenov, former UN envoy who will serve as High Representative for Gaza overseeing day-to-day matters. Despite their inclusion, Haaretz reported that Trump is positioning the Board as a rival and alternative to the United Nations. An analysis by the American Society of International Law (ASIL) notes the absence of any mechanism for UN Security Council oversight and the lack of guarantees of Palestinian representation. The ASIL analysis observes that the structure bypasses the UN trusteeship system, which fell into disuse precisely because of its colonial connotations.

The plan has raised significant concerns about the absence of a meaningful UN role beyond the Security Council resolution that authorized the Board of Peace to oversee Gaza until at least the end of 2027. Critics question whether Trump aims to create an American-dominated alternative to the UN Security Council. Russia and China abstained from the Security Council vote, citing lack of details on how the board would function and whether it would establish a Palestinian state.

Major General Jasper Jeffers, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Central, was appointed to lead an International Stabilization Force authorized to occupy Gaza, disarm Hamas, and oversee the territory during reconstruction. However, the White House has not clarified whether American troops will participate in this force or which countries will contribute peacekeeping personnel to attempt disarming Hamas or overseeing Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas.

At least three countries—Canada, Egypt, and Turkey—confirmed receiving invitations to join the broader board structure. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to accept, while Egypt and Turkey are weighing their participation. The board's full membership, mandate, and relationship between the various governing bodies remain unclear, with additional appointments expected in coming weeks.

Quotes:

"Each executive board member will oversee a defined portfolio critical to Gaza's stabilization and long-term success, including, but not limited to, governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilization," the White House stated.

Trump described the board on Truth Social as "the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place."

Democratic Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro said: "The success of phase two of the ceasefire in Gaza depends on full implementation of phase one, which is still lacking in several key areas, including delivery of humanitarian aid, cessation of Israeli military strikes, and the return of the final deceased hostage held by Hamas."

Trump threatened Hamas on social media regarding disarmament: "they can do this the easy way, or the hard way."

Blair's inclusion remains contentious given his role in the 2003 Iraq invasion, though Trump said in October: "I've always liked Tony, but I want to find out that he's an acceptable choice to everybody."

Context:

Significant challenges persist despite the ceasefire that took effect in October. Israel continues near-daily bombardment of Gaza, killing hundreds of Palestinians since the truce began, and has demolished thousands of structures including homes and greenhouses. Hamas has not publicly committed to disarmament—a key Israeli demand and one of the most contentious elements of any settlement. The separation of powers among the American-dominated executive board, the broader international council, and Palestinian technocrats managing daily administration remains unclear and likely to generate tensions over Gaza's governance and reconstruction.