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By Brendan Cole
Senior Reporter
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Senior international figures are being discussed for roles linked to a "Board of Peace," an oversight body that would supervise Gaza’s transition under the Trump administration’s ceasefire plan, according to reports.
The board would oversee reconstruction and interim governance, alongside a technocratic Palestinian committee tasked with running Gaza’s day-to-day administration.
The development is part of Phase Two of President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, unveiled in late September, aimed at ending the war in Gaza that began after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
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Trump said he would chair the board. While other members have not been officially announced, former U.N. envoy Nickolay Mladenov and former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair have been mentioned for key roles, according to reports.
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment.
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Why It Matters
The ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile, with the U.N. warning of severe humanitarian need. Questions also remain over Hamas' disarmament and whether Israel will fully withdraw.
Under Trump's plan, the board would play a key oversight role, making its composition politically significant.
What To Know
Under the first phase of the ceasefire framework agreed in October 2025, Israel and Hamas halted fighting, began a hostage-prisoner exchange, carried out a partial Israeli withdrawal and allowed a surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza.
On January 14, Witkoff said Phase Two would move from ceasefire to "demilitarization, technocratic governance and reconstruction," including efforts to disarm Hamas, rebuild Gaza and establish a body to manage day-to-day administration under U.S. supervision.
Trump reposted Witkoff’s announcement on Truth Social, saying he would chair the "Board of Peace" and back a newly appointed Palestinian technocratic government—the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG)—supported by the board’s high representative.
Neither Witkoff nor the White House has publicly confirmed who would sit on the board or serve on the technocratic committee, but several names have been floated in reports.
Those include Nickolay Mladenov, a former U.N. Middle East envoy, whom Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said would serve as the board’s designated director-general and on-the-ground representative. A U.S. official also confirmed his appointment to The Associated Press.
Mladenov, 53, previously served as Bulgaria’s defense and foreign minister and was the U.N. special coordinator for the Middle East peace process from 2015 to 2020.
Politico has reported the oversight structure could include leaders or senior figures from countries including the U.S., the U.K., Italy, Germany, Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, though the final lineup has not been confirmed.
Trump posted on Truth Social on January 15: "The Members of the Board will be announced shortly, but I can say with certainty that it is the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place."
Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair has been considered for a role on an executive committee attached to the board, rather than as a board member, amid reported regional concerns about his role in the Iraq war, Politico reported.
The Sunday Times reported U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer had been offered a place on the board, though U.K. officials said no formal invitation had been received and talks were ongoing.
The Financial Times reported the executive committee could also include Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.
Egypt, Turkey and Qatar—the other mediators of the ceasefire—have said the technocratic committee would be led by Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority.
About 1,200 people were killed and 251 abducted in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, according to Israeli authorities. Gaza’s health ministry says more than 71,000 people have been killed in the territory since Israel began its military campaign—figures that do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Since the ceasefire took effect, Gaza’s health ministry has reported more than 450 people killed in Israeli strikes, while the Israeli military says three of its soldiers have been killed in attacks by Palestinian armed groups.
What People Are Saying
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff wrote on X on January 14: "On behalf of President Trump, we are announcing the launch of Phase Two of the President’s 20-Point Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, moving from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction.
"Phase Two establishes a transitional technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), and begins the full demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza, primarily the disarmament of all unauthorized personnel."
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on January 15: "As Chairman of the Board of Peace, I am backing a newly appointed Palestinian Technocratic Government, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, supported by the Board's High Representative, to govern Gaza during its transition."
What Happens Next
Trump’s Truth Social post vowed there would be a comprehensive demilitarization agreement with Hamas, but doubts remain, with the group so far not agreeing to disarm and Israel not committing to a full withdrawal from Gaza.
There are also questions over funding to develop Gaza, with the United Nations estimating reconstruction would cost as much as $70 billion and little money so far having been pledged.
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