The White House has unveiled the initial lineup of its Gaza "Board of Peace", a move that is unlikely to alleviate concerns that the US president's initiative may be perceived as a top-down approach that bypasses Palestinian stakeholders.

Several key details remain unclear, including potential additional appointments and the organizational framework, which currently appears to be complex.

Notably, the two newly announced senior boards do not include any Palestinian representatives at this time.

The boards are divided into two entities: a "founding Executive Board" focused on high-level investment and diplomatic efforts, and the "Gaza Executive Board", which will oversee the work of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a separate administrative body.

The NCAG is comprised of Palestinians with technical expertise, led by Dr Ali Shaath, a civil engineer and former Palestinian Authority minister, who is tasked with guiding the committee's work in a supposedly apolitical and technocratic capacity.

The founding Executive Board of the Board of Peace comprises seven members, with six hailing from the United States. Notable American members include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former President Trump, and Steve Witkoff, who serves as the US Special Envoy to the Middle East and has a personal connection to the president as a fellow real estate developer.

Ajay Banga, the president of the World Bank, is an Indian-born US citizen and stands out as a non-American member. In contrast, the inclusion of Sir Tony Blair, a former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, may raise questions about the Board's operations and decision-making processes.

In recent weeks, several critics have spoken out against Sir Tony Blair's potential role on the Board, including Mustafa Barghouti, general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative, and unnamed officials from Arab states, as reported by various newspapers.

Critics argue that Sir Tony Blair's involvement in the Iraq war, combined with the historical context of Britain's colonial presence in the Middle East, makes him an unsuitable candidate for the Board.

Last year, Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, expressed strong opposition to Sir Tony Blair's potential involvement, stating on social media: "Tony Blair? Hell no. Hands off Palestine."

The issue appeared to be recognized by Trump himself, who showed awareness of the matter.

In a statement made in October, President Trump expressed his desire to ensure that Tony was a suitable choice for all parties involved, saying, "I've always liked Tony, but I want to find out that he's an acceptable choice to everybody."

A notable connection exists between the two senior boards, as key figures such as Kushner, Witkoff, and Sir Tony hold positions on both.

The Gaza Executive Board comprises a range of prominent political figures and diplomats, including representatives from Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, with Nickolay Mladenov, a former Bulgarian politician, set to lead the board as High Representative for Gaza.

Yakir Gabay, an Israeli-born businessman currently residing in Cyprus, is the sole Israeli representative on the board.

The White House has announced the selection of individuals who will focus on providing effective governance and high-quality services to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in Gaza, according to a recent statement.

Despite the challenges and concerns surrounding the plan, it remains the primary initiative, with numerous world leaders expressing their support and commitment to its success.

The organizational structure of the initiative is complex, with the Board of Peace overseeing all previously announced components, and President Trump serving as its chairman.

Although the members of the Board of Peace have not been officially announced, it is reported that several prominent leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Canadian leader Mark Carney, have been invited to participate.

The ability to address the concerns of critics will ultimately depend on the new senior team members' capacity to implement meaningful changes that improve daily life for Palestinians and contribute to tangible progress toward a lasting peace.

Significant obstacles still need to be overcome in order to achieve these objectives.

According to the UN, approximately 80% of Gaza's buildings have been either destroyed or damaged, leaving surviving families to contend with harsh winter conditions, as well as shortages of food and shelter.

Although aid organizations report some progress, they claim that Israel's ongoing restrictions are hindering their efforts.

Israel maintains that it is working to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, and has criticized the UN for its inability to distribute existing supplies in Gaza, arguing that any restrictions in place are necessary to prevent Hamas from infiltrating and exploiting relief efforts.

Making substantial progress in the rebuilding process will be a daunting challenge, requiring the removal of around 60 million tonnes of rubble, a task that cannot begin until the bodies of the deceased and unexploded ordnance embedded within the rubble have been located and disposed of.

A significant hurdle remains in sustaining the fragile ceasefire agreement.

The White House has announced Major General Jasper Jeffers as the Commander of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), adding to the growing list of key personnel.

With the backing of a UN mandate, the ISF will face the daunting task of overseeing the demilitarization of the Gaza region.

The process of convincing Hamas to relinquish its arms remains unclear, as do the details regarding the contributing countries, the force's scope, and its rules of engagement.

According to Hamas, disarmament will only occur as part of a comprehensive agreement that establishes a Palestinian state.

With Israeli ground forces maintaining control over a significant portion of the Gaza Strip, the government has stated that a withdrawal will only occur if Hamas agrees to disarm.

Finding a solution to this impasse poses a significant challenge, potentially the most daunting one of all.