Trump Taps Blair and Kushner to Lead New Gaza Peace Oversight Board

2026-01-16 politics

Washington D.C., Saturday, 17 January 2026.
President Trump has officially appointed Tony Blair and Jared Kushner to the new “Board of Peace,” signaling a strategic pivot to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction through established diplomatic architects.

Strategic Appointments to the Board of Peace

The White House officially unveiled the composition of the “Board of Peace” on Thursday, placing former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Jared Kushner at the helm of the oversight body alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff [1][2]. President Trump, who will serve as the chairman of the board, announced the formation of this body as a critical component of the administration’s 20-point plan to end the conflict in Gaza [2][7]. This move formally initiates the second phase of the U.S.-brokered peace initiative, aimed at stabilizing the region following the ceasefire established in October 2025 [3][5]. The board is tasked with supervising the reconstruction of the war-torn enclave and monitoring its transitional administration [2]. To manage day-to-day strategy and operations, the administration has also appointed Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum as senior advisers [2]. The initiative relies heavily on established political figures, with Kushner returning to Middle East diplomacy after his previous involvement in the region [1].

A Two-Tiered Governance Structure

While the “Board of Peace” provides high-level international oversight, on-the-ground governance will be managed by a newly formed Palestinian body. The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a technocratic group composed of 15 members, will be led by Ali Sha’ath, a Gaza native and former Palestinian Authority official [2][5]. This committee held meetings in Cairo this week, tasked with preparing for the administration of the strip under the new framework [1][3]. The implementation of this governance structure marks the commencement of “Phase Two” of the peace plan, which U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff announced on January 13, 2026 [5]. This phase focuses on three pillars: the establishment of the technocratic government, the demilitarization of the territory, and the commencement of reconstruction efforts [5].

Fragile Ceasefire and Ongoing Instability

Despite the diplomatic progress, the security situation remains precarious. Since the initial ceasefire agreement came into effect on October 10, 2025, violence has persisted [4][6]. Data indicates that approximately 450 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes during this three-month truce period [5][6], averaging 150 deaths per month despite the cessation of hostilities. Conversely, the Israeli military has reported the deaths of three soldiers due to attacks by Palestinian groups since the ceasefire began [5]. The total death toll in Gaza since the war began in October 2023 has now surpassed 71,430 [5]. The disconnect between diplomatic announcements and the reality on the ground was highlighted on the very day the board was announced, as Israeli strikes reportedly killed nine people in Gaza [7].

Geopolitical Friction and Future Outlook

Political friction remains evident regarding the plan’s viability; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Witkoff’s announcement of the new phase as “largely symbolic,” casting doubt on the immediate efficacy of the transition [7]. Meanwhile, Hamas officials have stated they will dissolve their government in Gaza once the technocratic leadership committee formally takes over [7]. As President Trump prepares to visit the World Economic Forum in Davos next week, where further details regarding the board are expected, the administration faces the challenge of converting this diplomatic framework into tangible stability [5]. The success of the “Board of Peace” will likely depend on its ability to bridge the gap between high-level international oversight and the harsh operational realities facing the technocratic committee on the ground.

Sources

Middle East Foreign Policy