President Donald Trump has begun appointing members to a newly announced “Board of Peace,” a central pillar of his administration’s broader plan to end the Israel–Hamas War and oversee Gaza’s postwar reconstruction. While the initiative is ambitious in scope, it has already generated debate over its funding model, membership choices, and political implications.
What the Board of Peace Is Meant to Do
The Board of Peace is part of Trump’s 20-point plan aimed at stabilizing Gaza after extensive destruction during the war. According to the White House, the board will oversee reconstruction efforts and temporary governance, with the stated goal of restoring basic services, rebuilding civil institutions, and creating conditions for long-term self-sustaining governance.
To support this mission, the administration has announced several layers of leadership rather than a single governing body, effectively creating “boards within a board.”
The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza
At the operational level, the White House announced the formation of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). The committee will be led by former Palestinian Authority Deputy Minister Dr. Ali Sha’ath.
The White House described Sha’ath as follows:
“The NCAG will be led by Dr. Ali Sha’ath, a widely respected technocratic leader who will oversee the restoration of core public services, the rebuilding of civil institutions, and the stabilization of daily life in Gaza, while laying the foundation for long-term, self-sustaining governance. Dr. Sha’ath brings deep experience in public administration, economic development, and international engagement, and is widely respected for his pragmatic, technocratic leadership and understanding of Gaza’s institutional realities.”
The NCAG is intended to serve as the on-the-ground administrative authority during Gaza’s transition period.
The Executive Boards
Above the NCAG sit two senior leadership groups.
The first is an executive board chaired by President Trump himself. Its purpose is to “operationalize the Board of Peace’s vision.” Members include Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Special Envoy Steve Witkoff; Jared Kushner; National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel; former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair; Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management; and Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank Group. Each member is expected to oversee a specific area of Gaza’s stabilization and reconstruction.
The second body, called the Gaza Executive Board, is composed of senior international officials and advisors who will support governance and service delivery in Gaza. Its members include Witkoff, Kushner, Blair, and Rowan, alongside officials from Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as former senior United Nations figures and regional diplomats. Former U.N. envoy Nickolay Mladenov will also serve as High Representative for Gaza, acting as the liaison between the Board of Peace and the NCAG.
The White House has said additional members may be announced in the coming weeks.
International Invitations — and Controversial Choices
More than a dozen countries have reportedly been invited to join the Board of Peace. Canada, Hungary, and Vietnam have said they have accepted their invitations, while other countries including Egypt, Pakistan, India, Jordan, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Paraguay, Argentina, and Albania have confirmed receiving invitations.
One of the most controversial decisions has been Trump’s invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to join the board. Putin’s spokesperson confirmed the invitation, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has also reportedly been invited. These choices have prompted criticism from some governments and observers, particularly given Russia’s strained relations with much of the West.
The full roster of members is expected to be unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The $1 Billion Buy-In
A major point of debate is the board’s funding structure. Participation is invitation-only, and countries can choose between a three-year term or permanent membership. Permanent membership, however, requires a $1 billion contribution to Gaza’s reconstruction.
The United Nations estimates that rebuilding Gaza will cost roughly $70 billion. A U.S. official told CNN that all funds raised through the membership program would go directly toward reconstruction, stating:
“There will not be exorbitant salaries and massive administrative bloat that plagues many other international organizations.”
While countries are not required to contribute funds in order to participate, those that do not will only receive three-year terms rather than permanent seats.
Pushback From Allies and Regional Leaders
Despite the administration’s framing of the board as a practical solution, resistance has emerged quickly.
Tony Blair, a member of the executive board, has publicly distanced himself from the permanent membership buy-in. His spokesperson clarified that Blair will not support that aspect of the plan.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has accepted Canada’s invitation but has not committed to paying the $1 billion fee. Speaking in Qatar, Carney said he has a precondition before moving forward:
“We still do not have unimpeded aid flows, humanitarian aid flows at scale to the people in Gaza.”
Israeli officials have also expressed discomfort with some of the appointments, though they have not specified all of their objections. Israel has previously opposed Turkey having a role in Gaza’s reconstruction, and Turkish officials are included on the Gaza Executive Board.
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir went further, rejecting the idea of an administrative body altogether. He stated:
“The Gaza Strip does not need any ‘administrative committee’ to oversee its ‘rehabilitation’ – it needs to be cleansed of Hamas terrorists, who must be destroyed, alongside massive voluntary emigration – in accordance with the original plan of President Trump.”
He added:
“I call on the Prime Minister to order the IDF to prepare to return to war with tremendous force in the Gaza Strip.”
Representation Concerns
Another issue raised by critics is representation. Only one Israeli — a businessman rather than an elected official — has been named to either board, and no Palestinians have been appointed to the executive boards, despite Gaza being the central focus of the effort. This has fueled concerns about legitimacy, local buy-in, and whether the governance structure will reflect the needs and realities on the ground.
A High-Stakes Experiment
The Board of Peace represents one of the most ambitious and unconventional international reconstruction efforts proposed in recent years. Supporters argue that its streamlined structure, private-sector involvement, and clear funding expectations could avoid inefficiencies that have plagued past efforts. Critics, meanwhile, question the ethics of a pay-to-join model, the inclusion of controversial leaders, and the lack of direct Palestinian representation.
As the full membership list is revealed and countries decide whether to commit long-term funding, the Board of Peace is likely to remain a focal point of global debate — both as a potential path toward rebuilding Gaza and as a test of how international governance is evolving in an increasingly fractured geopolitical landscape.
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