The White House has formally announced the composition of a high-profile board tasked with overseeing the future of the Gaza Strip, a move that follows a fragile ceasefire established late last year. The body, termed a "board of peace," will be chaired by former US President Donald Trump.
Key Appointments to the Reconstruction Board
The list of officials appointed by Donald Trump includes several prominent international figures. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair are among the key names. They will be joined by Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and the former President's special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
The White House statement confirmed that the board's mandate is to supervise the massive reconstruction effort required in Gaza and to manage its transitional administration. This plan was initially revealed by Trump towards the end of the previous year.
Operational Leadership and Broader Framework
For the day-to-day running of the board's strategy and operations, Trump has appointed Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum as senior advisers. On the ground, the newly formed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) will be led by Ali Sha'ath, a native of Gaza and a former official within the Palestinian Authority.
The US administration reiterated its commitment to the framework, stating, "The United States remains fully committed to supporting this transitional framework, working in close partnership with Israel, key Arab nations, and the international community."
A Contrasting Reality on the Ground
This high-level political announcement stands in stark contrast to the current situation in Gaza. As recently as 16 January 2026, photographs from Gaza City showed Palestinians gathering on the Mediterranean coast at sunset. However, the beach has also been transformed into a makeshift camp for countless displaced people whose homes were destroyed in the conflict, underscoring the immense humanitarian and reconstruction challenge that lies ahead.
The formation of this board marks a significant step in the proposed post-ceasefire roadmap, placing a controversial yet influential set of figures at the helm of Gaza's potential recovery.
