Washington: The United States has announced the list of individuals appointed to the Gaza Management Board, also known as the "Board of Peace." This announcement was made by the White House on Friday, highlighting the individuals who will oversee a temporary administration in the Gaza Strip. The region continues to experience violence and fatalities, even amid a ceasefire that has been in place since October.
According to Thai News Agency, the White House detailed that the board will include several prominent figures such as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Trump's special envoy Steve Whitkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The committee, chaired by President Trump, was part of a plan he revealed late last year.
Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas agreed to a plan proposed by Trump in October. This plan involves placing Palestinian technical organizations under the supervision of an international committee, termed the "Peace Committee," to oversee the transitional governance of Gaza.
Additional members of the committee include billionaire private equity firm leader Mark Rowan, World Bank president Ajay Banga, and President Trump's advisor Robert Gabriel. Nikolay Mladenov, former UN Middle East Envoy, will serve as the high-level representative in Gaza. However, the White House did not specify the exact responsibilities of each member.
The structure of this committee has been compared by many experts and human rights activists to a colonial-era governance model. Tony Blair's involvement also faced criticism last year due to his actions during the Iraq War.
Furthermore, the White House announced that Major General Jasper Jeffers, the former commander of U.S. Special Operations, has been assigned as the commander of the international stabilization force. This follows a United Nations Security Council resolution passed in November, which authorizes the "Peace Committee" and its partner countries to establish this force in Gaza.
The fragile ceasefire in Gaza has seen accusations from both Israel and Hamas of violations. Reports reveal that over 440 Palestinians, including more than 100 children, and three Israeli soldiers have lost their lives since the ceasefire commenced in October.