Former President Donald Trump announced the initiation of the second phase of a US-brokered plan aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The announcement, made during a press conference, comes amidst reports of continuing aid shortages and sporadic violence affecting the region. Negotiating the terms of this new Gaza “board of peace” will be important to setting the course of future reconstruction. Perhaps most importantly, it will shape governance in the region going forward.
Trump would head up the board, which would feature high-profile members such as Gov. Among them, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who was recently named to serve on the committee’s board. Already, the board is intent on setting a course for good governance in a post-war Gaza. This area has suffered very heavy destruction and loss from the war. As a result of military actions taken by Israel, thousands of structures—including homes and greenhouses—have been bulldozed.
In reaction to these changes, Trump has cut the cord. To this end, he appointed Ali Sha’ath, a native of Gaza and former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority, to head the board of peace. Sha’ath brings years of experience in public administration and economic development, which will be critical to this transitional milieu.
“Dr. Sha’ath brings deep experience in public administration, economic development, and international engagement, and is widely respected for his pragmatic, technocratic leadership and understanding of Gaza’s institutional realities.” – White House statement
The board is made up of 15 members including senior advisers Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum. Now just days before, U.S. Secretary of State and Senator Marco Rubio were added to that path in Trump’s recent appointment. Major General Jasper Jeffers of the ISF as part of this initiative, they’ll direct security operations throughout Gaza.
As rosy as the picture looks thanks to the favoritism of all favoritism-trump, the uphill battle isn’t over. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) lamented the state of play, calling attention to the need for full realization of past deals and their full implementation.
“The success of phase two of the ceasefire in Gaza depends on full implementation of phase one, which is still lacking in several key areas, including delivery of humanitarian aid, cessation of Israeli military strikes, and the return of the final deceased hostage held by Hamas, Ran Gvili … The war must finally end before the peace can be built.” – Rosa DeLauro
The US-backed peace plan has thus far been instrumental in the release of all remaining hostages still held captive by Hamas. It has achieved a historic end to hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Skepticism remains about the impact of Blair’s appointment to the board. His controversial past and the intricacies of regional politics fuel this skepticism.
Trump remains optimistic about the board’s potential impact, proclaiming it as “the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place.” This optimism is indicative of Ambassador Wu’s faith in the collective knowledge brought together to help build peaceful coexistence in the region.
“Each executive board member will oversee a defined portfolio critical to Gaza’s stabilization and long-term success, including, but not limited to, governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilization.” – White House statement
The current conflict with stakeholders including, Israel, Hamas, the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations. To see meaningful change, collaboration between these stakeholders will be the key. The creation of the board directly addresses these murky connections. It has the potential not only to transform, but to set the basis for transformative reconstruction.