US-Led Initiative Aims at Postwar Reconstruction, Economic Development, and Governance in Gaza
US President Donald Trump has announced the formation of a βBoard of Peaceβ to oversee postwar reconstruction in Gaza, inviting key international leaders to participate. The board will focus on rebuilding infrastructure, economic growth, and governance, marking a significant step in Trumpβs Gaza initiative following the October 2023 conflict.
Trump named several prominent figures to the executive panel, including:
- Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister and Middle East Quartet envoy
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Jared Kushner, senior US negotiator
- Steve Witkoff, US business leader
Trump will serve as chair of the board, emphasizing its priorities: economic development, investment attraction, governance, and postwar reconstruction.
Additional members include World Bank President Ajay Banga, financier Marc Rowan, and Trump aide Robert Gabriel from the US National Security Council. A second advisory board will also be formed, though its members are yet to be disclosed.
The initiative is global in scope. Leaders from Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, and Canada have been invited:
- Canada: Mark Carneyβs senior aide confirmed participation.
- Turkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was requested to serve as a founding member.
- Egypt: Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said the invitation for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is under review.
- Argentina: President Javier Milei expressed on social media that joining would be βan honor.β
Tony Blair described the appointment as βan honor,β though he remains a controversial figure due to his involvement in the 2003 Iraq invasion.
According to the White House, the board will focus on:
- Governance capacity-building in Gaza
- Enhancing regional relations
- Reconstruction of war-damaged infrastructure
- Attracting investment and mobilizing capital
The boardβs formation aligns with the second phase of Trumpβs Gaza plan, including ceasefire implementation and the disarming of Hamas.
US Major General Jasper Jeffers has been named head of the International Stabilization Force to ensure security in Gaza and train a police force to replace Hamas. Ali Shaath, a former Palestinian Authority deputy minister, leads the governing committee tasked with local administration.
Trump had previously suggested transforming Gaza into a Riviera-style resort area, but the current plan avoids forced relocation, instead focusing on economic growth and reconstruction.
The boardβs creation marks a rare example of direct US-led postwar governance efforts in Gaza, blending diplomacy, investment, and security coordination. Its success will depend on international cooperation and the ability to navigate complex regional politics, with hopes to provide stability and growth for the war-torn region.
