BY Rosemary
A tight circle of President Donald Trump’s closest advisers, joined by senior international figures and influential officials from across the Middle East, has emerged as the central force behind Washington’s latest push to secure and sustain a ceasefire in Gaza and oversee the territory’s postwar transition.
The White House this week disclosed the composition of a new Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with managing Gaza’s day-to-day civil affairs, alongside an executive committee of international experts who will supervise security, political and reconstruction efforts. Together, the appointments represent the most concrete step yet in Trump’s sweeping plan to reshape Gaza’s governance after months of devastating conflict.
According to U.S. officials, the initiative has now entered its second phase. That stage envisions the deployment of an international stabilization force, the gradual disarmament of Hamas, and a large-scale reconstruction effort aimed at restoring basic services and rebuilding Gaza’s shattered infrastructure. Oversight of the entire process will fall to a body dubbed the “Board of Peace,” a group of global leaders chaired by Trump, though the administration has yet to reveal the full roster of its members.
At the core of the effort are figures with direct access to the president and significant leverage across the region. Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio occupies a pivotal role, consolidating America’s diplomatic and security decision-making at a critical juncture. Working closely with him is Steve Witkoff, the White House’s Middle East envoy and a longtime confidant of Trump, who played a central role in crafting the ceasefire framework that took effect in October.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a veteran architect of Middle East diplomacy during the president’s first term, has also returned to the forefront. Kushner was instrumental in brokering the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, and administration officials say he has been deeply involved in persuading regional partners to back the Gaza plan.
The executive committee extends well beyond Washington. Former British prime minister Tony Blair brings decades of experience in Middle East diplomacy, including his tenure as an international envoy charged with advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. While his earlier initiatives produced limited results, supporters argue his deep familiarity with regional leaders and institutions could prove valuable in the complex negotiations ahead.
Security on the ground will be led by Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, who has been appointed commander of the International Stabilization Force. Jeffers previously oversaw U.S. special operations and played a key role in enforcing a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in 2024. His mandate includes maintaining calm, monitoring compliance with ceasefire terms and providing assurances to both Israelis and Palestinians during the transition.
Several senior Middle Eastern officials have also been tapped, reflecting the administration’s reliance on regional actors with established ties to both Israel and Hamas. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is expected to serve as a crucial channel to Hamas, given Ankara’s working relationship with the group despite its strained ties with Israel. Qatar’s Ali Al-Thawadi and Egypt’s intelligence chief, Gen. Hassan Rashad, both seasoned mediators in the conflict, are positioned to continue their behind-the-scenes diplomacy.
The United Arab Emirates, which normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords, will be represented by Cabinet minister Reem Al-Hashimy. Emirati officials are expected to play a prominent role in funding and coordinating reconstruction projects, leveraging the country’s financial resources and diplomatic reach.
Economic recovery and reconstruction planning will be guided by World Bank President Ajay Banga, whose background spans global finance and corporate leadership, and Marc Rowan, the billionaire head of Apollo Global Management. Rowan’s philanthropic work and ties to both Israel and the United States have drawn attention, with administration officials arguing his experience could help mobilize private investment for Gaza’s rebuilding.
Humanitarian coordination will fall in part to Sigrid Kaag, the former Dutch deputy prime minister who has served as the United Nations’ chief aid coordinator for Gaza since the war began. Her continued involvement is intended to ensure continuity in relief operations as governance structures evolve.
On the U.S. national security side, Robert Gabriel, a longtime Trump adviser and current deputy national security adviser, will help coordinate policy between the White House and the international team. Israeli interests will have an unofficial voice through Yakir Gabay, an Israeli billionaire and former chief executive of Bank Leumi, whose presence is seen as a bridge to Israeli business and political circles.
Day-to-day coordination in Gaza will be managed by Nickolay Mladenov, a former United Nations envoy to the Middle East, who has been named high representative for the territory. He will serve as the principal link between the Board of Peace and the newly formed Palestinian committee, which will be headed by Ali Shaath, a Gaza-born engineer and former deputy transportation minister in the Palestinian Authority.
Administration officials acknowledge the plan faces formidable obstacles, including deep mistrust between the parties, the challenge of disarming Hamas, and the immense scale of Gaza’s humanitarian and reconstruction needs. Still, they argue the breadth and stature of the newly announced team underscore Washington’s determination to move beyond temporary truces toward a more durable political and security arrangement.
Whether the ambitious effort can translate high-level coordination into lasting stability on the ground remains uncertain. For now, the unveiling of the international lineup signals that the White House is betting heavily on a blend of personal diplomacy, regional leverage and global financial muscle to reshape Gaza’s future.