Former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair has expressed his honour at being selected to serve on a pivotal executive board central to former US President Donald Trump's strategy for rebuilding Gaza. The announcement, made on Saturday 17 January 2026, places the ex-Labour leader among a group of high-profile figures tasked with operationalising a major peace initiative.
The Founding Executive Board and Trump's Vision
The White House has named Sir Tony to a 'founding executive board', which will function as the operational arm of a broader Board of Peace. President Trump, who will chair the main board, heralded it in a Truth Social post as 'the greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled'.
Under the outlined US peace plan, Gaza would be governed by an apolitical, transitional Palestinian administration, with oversight provided by the Board of Peace. Sir Tony praised Mr Trump's 20-point plan to end the conflict, describing it as 'an extraordinary achievement' and 'something many thought could not happen'.
He stated: 'For Gaza and its people, we want a Gaza which does not reconstruct Gaza as it was but as it could and should be. And for the Israelis we want to ensure that the horrific events of October 7 2023 are never repeated.'
High-Profile Membership and Operational Structure
The founding board features several key Trump administration allies. They include:
- Steve Witkoff, the president's special envoy for the Middle East.
- Jared Kushner, Mr Trump's son-in-law, who helped negotiate the plan.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
- Billionaire Marc Rowan.
- World Bank President Ajay Banga.
- US Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel.
The White House confirmed each member will manage a specific portfolio crucial for Gaza's stabilisation and long-term success. Sir Tony, Mr Rubio, and Mr Kushner were also named to an 11-member 'Gaza executive board' to advise a new interim government.
On-the-Ground Governance and Security
Day-to-day administration will be handled by the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), led by Dr Ali Sha'ath, termed a 'widely respected technocratic leader'. This body will restore public services and rebuild civil institutions.
Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov takes the role of High Representative for Gaza, acting as the liaison between the Board of Peace and the NCAG. Security, demilitarisation, and aid delivery will fall to an International Stabilisation Force commanded by Major General Jasper Jeffers.
Sky News Middle East correspondent Adam Parsons, reporting from Jerusalem, noted the complex bureaucratic structure and acknowledged that Sir Tony 'can be a divisive figure in this region', largely due to the legacy of the Iraq War. However, Parsons observed that many are currently willing to give the former PM a chance, recognising his long-standing engagement in the region.
The conflict, triggered by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages. The subsequent Israeli offensive, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, killed a further 70,000 people over two years before a fragile ceasefire took hold in October 2025.
