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 a colonial solution imposed over the heads of the Palestinians.
There are still several unknowns - namely who else might be added and the exact structure of what is currently a rather complicated layout.
So far, no Palestinian names are included on the two separate senior boards that have been officially unveiled.
One is a 'founding Executive Board', with a high-level focus on investment and diplomacy. The other, called the 'Gaza Executive Board', is responsible for overseeing all on-the-ground work of yet another administrative group, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
That committee is made up of supposedly technocratic, apolitical Palestinians, led by Dr Ali Shaath, a civil engineer by training who's held ministerial positions in the Palestinian Authority.
But of the seven members of the founding Executive Board, six are Americans - including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, and Steve Witkoff. Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank, serves as an Indian-born US citizen, while former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's inclusion raises eyebrows amid concerns over his past in relation to Middle Eastern conflicts.
Critics, including Francesca Albanese, the UN's special rapporteur, have voiced strong opposition to Blair's involvement. Despite the outcry, Trump's administration insists on the importance of the plan, stating that it aims to ensure effective governance and deliver essential services to the region.
The Gaza Executive Board features prominent political figures and diplomats from Turkey, Qatar, and the UAE, led by Nickolay Mladenov as High Representative for Gaza. However, the board's architecture remains laden with complexities, with President Trump positioned as chairman over all, yet details on other members are still pending.
Major challenges loom on the humanitarian front as infrastructure in Gaza suffers from ongoing conflict, necessitating tremendous efforts for rebuilding and maintaining a ceasefire. With roughly 80% of structures in Gaza destroyed, adequate provisioning for displaced families is critical. Moreover, the demilitarization of Gaza under the aegis of the International Stabilization Force continues to raise significant concerns, especially regarding Hamas’ willingness to disarm amidst these initiatives.
The success of the newly formed board will largely hinge on their ability to navigate these challenges and deliver meaningful change to the Palestinian people.
