GAZA, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), The United States announced early Saturday the formation of the Gaza Peace Council and the appointment of a High Representative to the Gaza Strip, coinciding with the Palestinian National Committee’s launch of operations to manage the territory, following the start of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
The White House appointed Nikolay Mladenov as High Representative for Gaza. Mladenov, a Bulgarian politician and diplomat, previously served as the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (2015–2020), according to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. He has also held posts as Bulgaria’s Foreign and Defense Minister, was a member of the European Parliament, and in 2013, was appointed as UN Special Representative and head of the Iraq Assistance Mission by then Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The US-announced Peace Council includes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US special envoy under Trump Steve Witkoff, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Additionally, the White House appointed Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Greenbaum as advisors to the Peace Council. An executive council for Gaza is also being established to support the office of the High Representative and the National Committee overseeing the territory.
The White House named General Jasper Jeevers as the commander of the International Stabilization Force. It also announced the creation of a Gaza Executive Council aimed at supporting effective governance and delivering essential services that foster peace, stability, and prosperity for the people of Gaza. The council includes: Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Ali Al-Thawadi, General Hassan Rashad, Tony Blair, Mark Rowan, Emirati Minister Reem Al Hashimy, Nikolay Mladenov, Yakir Gabay, and Sigrid Kaag.
The American plan, unveiled late last year and used as a framework for the current fragile ceasefire, states that President Donald Trump will chair the Peace Council.
Earlier on Friday, Ali Shaath, head of the Palestinian National Committee for Gaza Governance, confirmed in a press statement that the committee officially began its work from Cairo in preparation for transitioning to Gaza to launch an emergency relief plan for the Palestinian people.
After delays by Israel, Witkoff announced on Wednesday the start of the second phase of the agreement, which includes disarmament, the formation of a technocratic government, and the launch of reconstruction efforts.
