Middle East

Key figures on Trump’s Gaza reconstruction panel

The individuals tasked with guiding the upcoming stage of the US president’s peace initiative have been identified by their given names.

The White House has announced the composition of the senior leadership team that will support the newly established "Board of Peace" initiative for Gaza, outlining the key personnel involved in this effort.

A composite image of Ajay Banga, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. — Ajay Banga, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are among those on the committee

Chaired by the US president, the inaugural "Executive Board" will provide oversight for a team of experts responsible for managing Gaza's temporary governance and guiding its reconstruction process.

According to the White House, each member of the executive team will be assigned a specific portfolio deemed essential to achieving stability in Gaza, although the exact allocation of responsibilities has not been disclosed at this time.

A separate entity, the "Gaza Executive Board", will be established to supervise the on-ground activities of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), ensuring coordination and effective management of efforts in the region.

The "Board of Peace" is envisioned as a higher-level entity that will encompass the two executive bodies, bringing together a group of global leaders to provide strategic direction and guidance for the initiative.

The White House has not yet announced any female or Palestinian members for the Executive Board, but it has indicated that further appointments will be made in the coming weeks.

The composition of the Executive Board is a subject of interest, with several key figures already named as part of the team.

There had been speculation about former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's potential involvement in the "Board of Peace" initiative, and in September, US President Trump confirmed that Blair had indeed expressed interest in participating.

An image of former UK prime minister Tony Blair looking at the camera while dressed in a black suit and white shirt in a room with wooden walls.

Blair's tenure as UK prime minister, which spanned from 1997 to 2007, was marked by significant events, including the UK's involvement in the Iraq War in 2003, a decision that may raise questions about his suitability for the board.

Following his time in office, Blair went on to serve as the Quartet's Middle East envoy from 2007 to 2015, representing the collective interests of the United Nations, European Union, US, and Russia.

Notably, Sir Tony is the sole founding member of the executive board without American citizenship.

Previously, Sir Tony expressed support for Trump's proposals for Gaza, viewing them as a potential solution to the conflict that had lasted for two years, causing widespread hardship.

Sir Tony released a statement expressing his gratitude to President Trump for the opportunity to join the executive board, acknowledging the president's role in its establishment.

Additionally, Sir Tony will hold a position on the Gaza Executive Board.

As a key figure in the Trump administration, specifically as a prominent voice in foreign policy, Marco Rubio plays a crucial role as US Secretary of State.

An image of the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, speaking into a microphone while wearing a navy suit with a red tie.

Prior to Trump's return to office, Senator Rubio expressed opposition to a ceasefire in Gaza, advocating for Israel to take decisive action against Hamas.

However, Rubio has since commended the initial phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement signed in October, characterizing it as the most viable option.

In the same month, Rubio voiced disapproval of the Israeli parliament's steps towards annexing the occupied West Bank.

Steve Witkoff, a real estate mogul and golfing partner of Trump, has been appointed to serve on the Gaza Executive Board in his capacity as US Special Envoy to the Middle East.

An image of the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, speaking in front of the American Flag visible to the left.

This month, Witkoff unveiled the launch of the second phase of Trump's plan for resolving the Gaza conflict, which entails the reconstruction of the region and its complete demilitarization, including the disarmament of Hamas.

He emphasized the importance of Hamas fulfilling all its commitments under the agreement, warning that failure to do so would result in severe repercussions.

Witkoff has been instrumental in US-led initiatives to broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, notably including a five-hour discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last December.

As a key figure in the Trump administration's foreign policy negotiations, Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, has been actively engaged in high-level diplomatic efforts.

An image of Jared Kushner dressed in a black suit with a white shirt staring off into the distance.

In his capacity as a US mediator, Kushner has collaborated with Witkoff on the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza conflicts, and will now also assume a role on the Gaza Executive Board.

A meeting took place in November between him and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, focusing on addressing crucial issues hindering progress in the peace negotiations.

During a 2024 speech at Harvard University, Jared Kushner noted that Gaza's waterfront area has significant potential value, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing economic development to improve living standards.

Marc Rowan, a prominent billionaire, serves as the chief executive officer of Apollo Global Management, a major private equity firm based in New York City.

An image of businessman Marc Rowan looking to the right with a microphone attached to his face, while dressed in a black suit and sat in front of a blue backdrop.

Rowan was previously considered a potential candidate for the position of US Treasury Secretary under the Trump administration's second term, and he is also slated to join the Gaza Executive Board.

Ajay Banga, the current president of the World Bank, has provided counsel to numerous high-ranking US politicians throughout his career, including former President Barack Obama.

An image of Ajay Banga speaking in front of an orange backdrop, while dressed in a black turban and black suit with a purple tie.

Born in India in 1959, Ajay Banga obtained US citizenship in 2007 and went on to lead Mastercard as its CEO for over a decade, overseeing the company's operations during that time.

In 2023, Joe Biden, the former President of the United States, put forward a nomination for him to take the helm of the World Bank.

Robert Gabriel, who serves as a national security adviser in the US, is set to become the last member to join the "founding executive board".

Gabriel's professional relationship with Trump dates back to his 2016 presidential campaign; afterwards, as reported by PBS, he took on the role of special assistant to Stephen Miller, a key adviser to Trump.

Although not a member of the Executive Board, Nickolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian politician and former UN envoy to the Middle East, has been designated by the White House to represent the Board of Peace in Gaza.

Bulgarian politician Nickolay Mladenov speaking into a microphone while dressed in black suit and pale blue tie.

As part of the Gaza Executive board, he will oversee the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, a 15-member technocratic committee tasked with managing the daily governance of Gaza following the conflict.

Leadership of the NCAG will be assumed by Ali Shaath, who previously served as a deputy minister within the Palestinian Authority, the governing body responsible for areas of the West Bank not controlled by Israel.

A correction has been made to an earlier version of this report, which incorrectly identified members of the executive boards as being part of the Board of Peace.

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BBC reports from Tehran as Iran commemorates Islamic revolution anniversary

BBC correspondent Lyse Doucet has arrived in Iran, marking her first visit to the country since authorities suppressed widespread demonstrations against the government.

Iran's government has staged a display of strength to commemorate the 47th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, following a period of intense repression of anti-government demonstrations.

The BBC has gained access to Tehran for the first time since the authorities' crackdown on protests, which resulted in the deaths of at least 6,490 people, according to estimates by human rights activists.

Lyse Doucet, the BBC's chief international correspondent, observes that the capital's streets, adorned with festive decorations and filled with crowds of supporters, reflect the government's desired image of a unified nation, with Iranians demonstrating their allegiance to the Islamic Republic and its founding revolution.

Middle East

BBC reports from Tehran for the first time since the protest crackdown

In Iran, the aftermath of the government’s crackdown on protests remains a sensitive issue, with the effects of the unusually strong measures still being felt, according to Lyse Doucet, reporting from the country.

For the first time since a nationwide crackdown on anti-government demonstrations, a BBC team has entered Iran to report on the current situation.

As Iran commemorates the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, the streets of Tehran are adorned with festive decorations, yet the memory of the recent protests and the subsequent use of force by security personnel remains a sensitive issue.

According to human rights activists, the confirmed number of protester fatalities stands at a minimum of 6,400, although they caution that the actual death toll may ultimately be significantly higher.

Asia

Indonesia plans to deploy up to 8,000 troops to Gaza

As part of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement facilitated by the US in the previous year, this nation would become the first to take such action.

Indonesia is making preparations to deploy a contingent of up to 8,000 soldiers to Gaza, marking the first such commitment under the second phase of a ceasefire agreement facilitated by the United States towards the end of last year.

US President Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto at a signing ceremony for the new Board of Peace, during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland (22 January 2026) — President Prabowo Subianto has argued that Indonesia should help to stabilise Gaza

According to General Maruli Simanjuntak, the army's chief of staff, training for these troops is already underway, with a focus on providing medical and engineering support in Gaza.

Indonesia has recently joined the Board of Peace initiated by President Donald Trump, an announcement that was made last month.

The United Nations Security Council has given Indonesia a mandate to establish an International Stabilization Force, tasked with securing border areas in Gaza and overseeing the demilitarization of the territory, including the disarmament of Hamas.

The Board of Peace, scheduled to convene for the first time in Washington on February 19, will also play a role in overseeing the establishment of a new technocratic government in Gaza and guiding post-conflict reconstruction efforts.

While the specifics of the Indonesian troop deployment, including timing and role, have yet to be finalized, it appears that President Prabowo Subianto is moving forward with the plan.

President Subianto's decision to participate in Trump's Board of Peace has drawn criticism from certain Islamic groups within Indonesia, where there is significant public discontent regarding the US role in Israel's military actions in Gaza.

President Subianto has countered that, as the world's most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia has a responsibility to contribute to stabilizing Gaza, with the ultimate goal of achieving a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A report by Israel's public broadcaster Kan indicates that a location in southern Gaza, situated between Rafah and Khan Younis, has been designated for the Indonesian army to construct barracks that will accommodate several thousand troops.

Other Muslim countries, including Turkey and Pakistan, are considering troop deployments as well, but have emphasized that their roles would be limited to peacekeeping and would not involve participation in the planned disarmament of Hamas.

However, given Hamas's refusal to disarm as long as Israel maintains its presence in parts of Gaza, a lasting peace that an international force could support has yet to be achieved.