Sir Tony Blair has declared himself "honoured" to be appointed to former US President Donald Trump's newly formed Gaza "Board of Peace", a body tasked with overseeing the territory's reconstruction and political transition. The announcement, made on Friday 17 January 2026, immediately drew scrutiny due to Blair's contentious legacy in the region stemming from the 2003 Iraq invasion.
A High-Profile Board with a Critical Mission
The board was personally selected by Donald Trump, who will also serve as its chairman. Its executive members include several prominent figures from Trump's political orbit: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. They are joined by World Bank president Ajay Banga, Marc Rowan, Robert Gabriel, and the former UK Prime Minister.
In an official statement, Sir Tony expressed his gratitude, saying: "I thank President Trump for his leadership in establishing the Board of Peace and am honoured to be appointed to its executive board." He praised the collaborative work with Kushner and Witkoff and committed to advancing the president's vision for peace and prosperity in Gaza.
The White House outlined that each board member will manage a specific portfolio essential for Gaza's future, covering areas such as governance, regional diplomacy, large-scale reconstruction, and mobilising international investment and funding.
Blair's Appointment: A Divisive Figure Returns
Analysts suggest Blair's inclusion is the most controversial aspect of the board's composition. He remains a polarising figure across the Middle East for his role as British Prime Minister during the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. His later work as the Quartet's representative for Middle East peace—a group comprising the US, EU, Russia, and the UN—ended amid perceptions he was too favourable towards Israel.
Even Trump acknowledged potential sensitivities last October, telling reporters: "I’ve always liked Tony, but I want to find out that he’s an acceptable choice to everybody." Despite this, Blair has been appointed and has publicly hailed Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza as an "extraordinary achievement", while cautioning that its implementation will require immense effort.
The Path Forward for Gaza
The board's creation follows the establishment of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee, led by former Palestinian Authority deputy minister Ali Sha'ath, which will handle Gaza's day-to-day administration post-conflict. The White House commended Sha'ath's technocratic experience and understanding of Gaza's institutional challenges.
This administrative framework operates against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire. The truce between Israel and Hamas, which took effect on 10 October 2025, ended two years of intense fighting and facilitated a prisoner exchange. However, the peace remains tense, with both sides accusing the other of violations. Gaza health officials report over 400 Palestinian deaths from Israeli fire since the ceasefire, while Israel asserts it targets militants responding to breaches.
A significant sticking point remains: Palestinian militants still hold the remains of one Israeli police officer killed in the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated further progress is contingent on their return.
The White House confirmed that additional members for both the Executive Board and a Gaza-specific executive body will be announced in the coming weeks.
