Translated with AI
US authorities have revealed the leadership of the so-called "Peace Council," which is expected to play a key role in implementing President Donald Trump's peace plan to resolve the situation in the Gaza Strip. The information was contained in a press release published on the White House website on Friday, January 16.
According to the document, the executive board of the Peace Council will include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Special Presidential Envoy Steven Witkoff, Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, World Bank CEO Ajay Banga, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. US President Donald Trump himself will chair the Peace Council.
The White House emphasizes that this body is designed to ensure the implementation of Trump's 20-point peace plan for the Gaza Strip. The council's responsibilities include strategic oversight of the peace process, mobilizing international resources, and "ensuring accountability during the Gaza Strip's transition from conflict to peace and development."
Gaza Strip Executive Council
At the same time, the appointment of a High Representative for the Gaza Strip was announced. This will be Bulgarian diplomat Nikolay Mladenov. His responsibilities will include ensuring cooperation between the Palestinian Authority and the "Peace Council."
In addition, a "Gaza Executive Council" was formed to support the Office of the High Representative and the activities of the technocratic administration. In addition to Nikolai Mladenov, it included Stephen Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Tony Blair, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem al-Hashimi, and other representatives.
Formation of the "Peace Council" and further steps
The creation of the "Peace Council" was announced shortly after the formation of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic authority, which will be tasked with managing daily life in the Gaza Strip.
On January 14, US Special Presidential Envoy Steven Witkoff, on behalf of Donald Trump, announced the transition to Phase 2 of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. This phase includes, among other things, the disarmament of Hamas and the deployment of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) to the Gaza Strip to support the Palestinian police.
According to a White House press release, Major General Jasper Jeffers, former commander of Special Operations Forces at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), has been appointed commander of the International Stabilization Force.
In December, Hamas declared its willingness to lay down its arms if a number of conditions were met, including a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip. "The existence of our weapons is due to the occupation and aggression. If the occupation ends, these weapons will be transferred to state control," asserted the movement's leader, Khalil al-Hayya.
