Trump Appoints Rubio, Kushner to Gaza Peace Board Members

President Trump has established a new committee to oversee the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. This initiative comes as part of a peace plan endorsed in the previous fall. The committee includes key American officials, notably Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Key Appointments

The newly formed committee, referred to as the “Board of Peace,” is spearheaded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Other members encompass Steve Witkoff, Robert Gabriel, and Ajay Banga, head of the World Bank. Notably, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is the only non-American member. He previously served as the Middle East envoy for the Quartet, a diplomatic group involving the U.S., Russia, the U.N., and the E.U.

Military Leadership

Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers has been appointed to lead the “International Stabilization Force.” This force is authorized by the United Nations to occupy Gaza during its reconstruction and disarmament processes. General Jeffers has prior experience overseeing cease-fire agreements, including those between Israel and Lebanon.

Challenges Ahead

Despite a cease-fire taking effect in October, violence continues. Hundreds of Palestinians have lost their lives amid ongoing Israeli military operations, heightening the urgency of rebuilding efforts.

• Impact of Conflict: The conflict has resulted in over 71,000 Palestinian and 1,671 Israeli fatalities.
• Setbacks in Reconstruction: Officials estimate it will take at least three years to clear rubble in Gaza.

Future Governance of Gaza

The governance structure remains ambiguous. The Board of Peace will oversee Gaza until at least 2027, while daily administration will fall under the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, led by Palestinian official Ali Shaath.

As the situation evolves, the Trump administration plans to announce additional committee members in the following weeks. Both American and international officials will play roles in this multifaceted governance strategy.

Key to the success of the reconstruction and disarmament plan will be addressing Hamas’s unwillingness to disarm. The group perceives relinquishing arms as an act of surrender, signaling potential conflicts in enforcing the peace plan.

As tensions persist, Trump’s administration is committed to overseeing and addressing the immediate challenges in Gaza. Whether the newly appointed committee can bring lasting peace and stability remains to be seen.