The White House has begun forming a new international body aimed at directing Gaza’s reconstruction and political transition, as President Donald Trump moves to formalize his vision for the territory’s postwar governance.
According to officials familiar with the process, Trump has invited leaders from Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, and Canada to participate in what he has branded the “Board of Peace,” a high-level council intended to oversee rebuilding efforts, investment strategy, and regional coordination in Gaza.
The initiative places Trump himself at the head of the board, alongside a core group that includes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British prime minister Tony Blair, and senior envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. The group is designed to operate as both a political steering body and a financial clearinghouse for large-scale reconstruction funding.
Early reactions from invited governments suggest cautious interest. In Ottawa, aides to Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that Canada plans to accept the invitation. Ankara indicated that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had been approached as a founding member. Cairo, through Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, said Egypt is reviewing the proposal. Argentine President Javier Milei publicly welcomed the offer, calling participation an honor.
Tony Blair confirmed his acceptance in a written statement, praising Trump’s leadership and signaling his readiness to contribute. Blair’s appointment has drawn attention given his history in the region and his past role in Middle East diplomacy following the Iraq war.
Beyond political figures, the board’s membership includes World Bank President Ajay Banga, US financier Marc Rowan, and Robert Gabriel, a senior Trump adviser currently serving on the National Security Council. The White House has indicated that additional appointments will follow.
In parallel, the administration has quietly formed a second, more technical advisory council focused on implementation and coordination. Officials have not clarified how responsibilities will be divided between the two bodies.
The formation of the board comes as Washington signals a transition in Gaza policy — from ceasefire enforcement toward dismantling Hamas and constructing a new administrative framework. On Friday, Trump appointed Major General Jasper Jeffers to lead an International Stabilization Force tasked with securing Gaza and training a replacement police service.
Ali Shaath, a Gaza-born former Palestinian Authority official, has already been selected to chair a provisional governing committee.
Trump has repeatedly framed Gaza’s future through an economic lens, at times suggesting large-scale redevelopment modeled on resort economies, though he has distanced himself from proposals involving population displacement.
With Gaza’s infrastructure largely destroyed after more than two years of war, the White House is positioning the new board as the primary instrument for channeling capital, shaping governance, and reengineering the territory’s political and economic foundations.
The architecture is ambitious. Whether it proves workable remains unresolved.
