Sir Tony Blair has been appointed to a pivotal role overseeing the future of the Gaza Strip as part of what former US President Donald Trump has called the "greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled".
The Board of Peace and its High-Profile Members
The announcement, made on Saturday 17 January 2026, details a new phase in the US-brokered peace plan for the territory. Under this plan, Gaza will be governed by an apolitical, transitional Palestinian administration, supervised by a newly formed Board of Peace. Mr Trump will act as the board's chairman.
The White House confirmed that Sir Tony, the former Labour Prime Minister, has been named to the board's "founding executive board". He will be joined by several prominent figures from the Trump administration, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump's son-in-law and plan negotiator Jared Kushner, and the president's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
Other members named are billionaire Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and US Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel. The White House stated each member will manage a "defined portfolio critical to Gaza's stabilisation and long-term success".
On-the-Ground Governance and Security Structure
A separate Gaza Executive Board, which also includes Sir Tony, Mr Rubio, and Mr Kushner, has been established. This body is tasked with supporting effective governance and delivering essential services to advance peace and prosperity.
Leading the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) will be Ali Sha'ath, described by the Trump administration as a respected technocratic leader. His role involves overseeing the restoration of public services, rebuilding civil institutions, and stabilising daily life.
Nickolay Mladenov, the former UN Middle East envoy, has been appointed as High Representative for Gaza, acting as the crucial link between the Board of Peace and the NCAG on the ground.
For security, Major General Jasper Jeffers will command an International Stabilisation Force. This force will be responsible for security operations, demilitarisation, and ensuring the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials.
Context of a Protracted Conflict
This new administrative framework follows years of devastating conflict. The war began after the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage.
Israel's subsequent military offensive, which lasted for two years, resulted in the deaths of a further 70,000 people, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. A fragile ceasefire took effect in October 2025, but the region has continued to experience sporadic outbreaks of deadly violence, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
The creation of the Board of Peace represents the most significant international attempt to date to move beyond the ceasefire and establish a durable framework for Gaza's recovery and future governance.
