The White House on Friday announced the formation and membership of what it termed the “Peace Council,” a body tasked under President Donald Trump’s plan to oversee the temporary administration of the Gaza Strip following the fragile ceasefire reached late last year.
According to the announcement, President Trump will chair the council. The founding Executive Council includes the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, alongside several figures drawn from diplomacy, finance and development, reports Al-Rai daily.
In a statement, the White House said the Executive Council was established to implement the vision of the Peace Council and comprises leaders with experience in diplomacy, development, infrastructure and economic strategy. In addition to Rubio, Witkoff, Kushner and Blair, the council includes Mark Rowan, Ajay Banga and Robert Gabriel.
The White House said each member of the Executive Council will be responsible for a specific portfolio critical to Gaza’s long-term stability, including administrative capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale financing and capital mobilization.
To support the council’s work, Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Greenbaum were appointed as senior advisers to the Peace Council. They will oversee strategy and day-to-day operations, translating the council’s mandate and diplomatic priorities into implementation on the ground.
Nikolai Mladenov, also named as a member of the Executive Council, was appointed High Representative for Gaza. In this role, he will act as the main field liaison between the Peace Council and the National Council of the Gaza government, supporting oversight of Gaza’s administration, reconstruction and development, while ensuring coordination between civilian and security efforts.
On the security front, the White House announced the appointment of Major General Jasper Jeffers as commander of the International Stabilization Force. He will be responsible for leading security operations, supporting comprehensive disarmament efforts and facilitating the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials, with the stated aim of maintaining peace and establishing a terrorism-free environment.
The administration also confirmed the creation of an Executive Council for Gaza, intended to support effective governance and service delivery for the population. Members of this body include Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Ali Al-Thawadi, Lieutenant General Hassan Rashad, Tony Blair, Mark Rowan, UAE Minister Reem Al-Hashemi, Nikolai Mladenov, Yakir Gabai and Sigrid Kaag.
The United States reaffirmed its “full commitment” to the transitional framework, pledging close coordination with Israel, key Arab states and the wider international community to implement the comprehensive plan.
President Trump called on all parties to cooperate fully with the National Council of the Gaza Government, the Peace Council and the International Stabilization Force to ensure the swift and successful execution of the plan.
The White House added that additional members of both the Executive Council and the Gaza Executive Council will be announced in the coming weeks.
