Challenges Mount for Trump's Peace Panel in Gaza

Sun Jan 18 2026 14:48:26 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The newly formed 'Board of Peace' for Gaza faces significant criticisms and logistical hurdles as it attempts to address the humanitarian crisis and promote stability in the region.

The White House's announcement of the 'Board of Peace' for Gaza, featuring prominent figures like Marco Rubio and Tony Blair, has sparked controversy given the absence of Palestinian representation. The panel's composition and mission raise fears of a colonial approach, especially as Gaza grapples with extensive destruction and ongoing humanitarian issues. The complexities of governance and maintaining ceasefire further compound the challenges ahead.

Challenges Mount for Trump's Peace Panel in Gaza

The White House has announced the first members of its Gaza 'Board of Peace', and the list of names will do little to dispel the criticism from some quarters that the US president's plan resembles, at its heart, a colonial solution imposed over the heads of the Palestinians.

So far, no Palestinian names are included on the senior boards that have been officially unveiled. One is a 'founding Executive Board', focused on investment and diplomacy, while the other, called the 'Gaza Executive Board', oversees the on-the-ground work of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).

This committee is led by Dr. Ali Shaath, a civil engineer, yet six of the seven members of the founding Executive Board are American—including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, and Steve Witkoff.

Ajay Banga, the president of the World Bank, is one of the few exceptions, being an Indian-born US citizen. The inclusion of Sir Tony Blair, the former UK Prime Minister, has stoked criticism further, with opponents citing his role in the Iraq War and Britain's colonial history. Prominent Palestinian politicians have also voiced their concerns.

Amidst the complex leadership structure, the Gaza Executive Board includes diplomats from Turkey, Qatar, and the UAE, with Nickolay Mladenov, a former Bulgarian politician, heading it as High Representative for Gaza. There is significant overlap with the founding board, leading to questions about their effectiveness.

The challenges facing the new board are considerable. With around 80% of Gaza's buildings reported as destroyed or damaged, the humanitarian crisis is dire, exacerbated by winter weather. While some aid improvements have occurred, restrictions by Israel on humanitarian efforts have faced accusations by aid groups.

The UN and Israel pin the blame on each other for the ongoing struggles in humanitarian assistance distribution. As mediators push for peace, maintaining the fragile ceasefire remains a daunting task, alongside ensuring that Hamas disarms—a key requirement for Israel to withdraw forces.

General Jasper Jeffers has been appointed as the Commander of the International Stabilization Force, tasked with ensuring Gaza's demilitarization, yet no clear roadmap exists for disarmament negotiations.

Ultimately, whether this new administration can drive meaningful change for Palestinians remains the ultimate test, not only for delivering humanitarian needs but also for forging a path towards sustainable peace.