A high-ranking U.S. official revealed to Al Arabiya channel details related to the “Gaza Peace Council” headed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The official explained that the council will include leaders from various countries around the world, and invitations have been extended to a number of presidents, including: Egyptian President “Abdel Fattah El-Sisi,” the Turkish President, and the Argentine President, in addition to other leaders. The official announcement of President El-Sisi’s participation is expected during the Davos Forum next week, where he is expected to meet with President Trump.
He pointed out that the goal of establishing the council is to transform it into an international mechanism for resolving conflicts worldwide, not just focusing on the Gaza Strip file.
The U.S. official stated that the Peace Council will consist of two councils working within one framework: an expanded council comprising prominent international figures, and an executive council dedicated exclusively to the Gaza file. The expanded council includes: U.S. Secretary of State “Mark Rubio,” President Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East “Steve Witkoff,” former British Prime Minister “Tony Blair,” businessman “Mark Rowan,” World Bank President “Ajay Banga,” and former U.S. President’s advisor “Robert Gabriel.” He confirmed that this council will be expanded to include heads of state and will oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, with this model later being adopted to address other conflicts.
As for the executive council concerned with the Gaza Strip, it consists of: “Steve Witkoff,” “Jared Kushner,” Turkish Foreign Minister “Hakan Fidan,” Head of the Egyptian Intelligence Service “Hassan Rashad,” Minister of State for International Cooperation in the UAE “Reem Al Hashimi,” Cypriot businessman “Yakir Gabay,” UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Gaza “Sigrid Kaag,” in addition to the Qatari official “Ali Al-Thawadi.” He indicated that each member has a specific role based on their experience in the diplomatic, investment, security, and humanitarian fields.
He added that the two councils will work in coordination with the High Commissioner of the Peace Council, the Bulgarian UN official “Nikolay Mladenov,” who is tasked with coordinating between the Peace Council and the National Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza. The National Committee consists of 15 Palestinian technocrats, headed by engineer “Ali Shaath,” with a division of tasks that includes rebuilding institutions and civil society, monitoring transparency, managing funds and investments, implementing reconstruction projects, and submitting periodic reports.
Officials confirmed the direct follow-up from “Kushner” and “Witkoff,” considering that this move represents the first American intervention at this level in the Gaza file, with an opportunity to rebuild the sector without the presence of weapons or threats from armed factions.
In the same context, the White House announced the appointment of General “Jasper Jeffers” from the U.S. Central Command to lead the International Stabilization Force, as part of a plan to maintain peace, support disarmament, secure the arrival of aid, and oversee the security aspects related to reconstruction.
Officials indicated that the biggest challenge lies in the nature and powers of the International Stabilization Force, especially with the White House confirming that Hamas “signed on to disarm,” which raises questions about the role of the force in the event of any failure in implementation. This track is based on Security Council Resolution “2803,” which provides a UN mandate to rebuild Gaza using modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, and with international participation and public and private investments, in accordance with conditions that include restoring security, preventing the recurrence of wars, reaching a long-term agreement, neutralizing the Israeli position, and disarming any Palestinian faction.
