In a bold and polarizing move, former U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a new international body aimed at overseeing the future of Gaza, marking what he calls the “next phase of peace and prosperity” in the war-torn enclave. The initiative, dubbed the Board of Peace, is already drawing global attention—and skepticism—due to its makeup and Trump’s outsized role at the helm.
A Self-Appointed Chairman with a Vision
Trump, not one to shy away from theatrics, named himself chairman of the board, a council designed to spearhead reconstruction and governance in postwar Gaza. His proposal positions economic revitalization, infrastructure development, and institutional reform as cornerstones for lasting peace. Critics, however, point to the real estate mogul’s prior musings about building seaside resorts on Gaza’s ruins as emblematic of a tone-deaf, colonial approach.
A Cast of Power Players and Wildcards
The board’s early composition reads like a who’s who of controversial figures and geopolitical players. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and senior Trump confidants Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were among the first appointees. Blair’s inclusion is particularly contentious given his legacy in the Iraq War, though he praised Trump’s leadership in a public statement.
Other announced members include World Bank President Ajay Banga, Apollo Global CEO Marc Rowan, and Trump loyalist Robert Gabriel, currently on the U.S. National Security Council. A secondary, less-defined advisory board has also been mentioned but with few details released.
On the global front, leaders from Canada, Argentina, Turkey, and Egypt have been tapped to join. Argentine President Javier Milei publicly accepted the offer with characteristic enthusiasm. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is reportedly considering participation. Meanwhile, Turkey’s President Erdoğan and Egypt’s President al-Sisi are said to be “studying” the invitations.
Parallel Moves in the Region
The announcement comes amid ongoing military activity in Gaza. Israeli airstrikes persist in response to Hamas’s 2023 offensive, even as ceasefire negotiations and plans for demilitarization proceed. Trump has named Major General Jasper Jeffers to lead an international stabilization force, a unit tasked with neutralizing remaining militant threats and preparing local security forces.
Simultaneously, a Cairo-based technocratic committee led by former Palestinian Authority deputy minister Ali Shaath has begun convening, with Kushner reportedly attending under his new diplomatic role.
The Vision—And the Void
Trump’s initiative outlines sweeping ambitions: rebuilding critical infrastructure, attracting foreign direct investment, training a new administrative class, and developing Gaza into an economic “success story.” But critics note that the plan is light on Palestinian representation, accountability measures, or clarity on how sovereignty and security will be managed.
With limited transparency and the inclusion of high-profile Western financiers, the Board of Peace risks being perceived less as a diplomatic breakthrough and more as a geopolitical land grab dressed in economic rhetoric.
For now, the world watches as Trump’s latest attempt to reshape the Middle East unfolds—equal parts diplomacy, power play, and spectacle.
