Washington (Brussels Morning Newspaper) January 17, 2026 – The White House announced key figures for the Gaza Executive Board tasked with overseeing post-conflict reconstruction and governance. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair headline the board alongside Middle East diplomats and business leaders. The committee supports implementation of the October 2025 ceasefire agreement’s second phase focusing on stabilisation services delivery.
The Gaza Executive Board comprises eight prominent individuals coordinating reconstruction efforts following Hamas disarmament commitments. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio chairs the board directing $4.2 billion US funding allocation 2026-2030 period. Board members include Trump Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi UAE Minister Reem Al-Hashimy Apollo CEO Marc Rowan World Bank President Ajay Banga Trump’s deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel.
White House Official Announcement Details
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered announcement January 16 confirming board composition roles responsibilities. Leavitt specified board operates under Trump-led Board of Peace strategic oversight managing daily Gaza administration transition from Hamas governance.
Board mandate covers humanitarian aid coordination infrastructure reconstruction basic services restoration security stabilisation. Quarterly reports submitted US Congress detailing funding deployment project milestones compliance verification.
Board Membership Composition Breakdown
US Representatives (4 members): Secretary of State Marco Rubio leads as chair leveraging diplomatic experience. Trump envoy Steve Witkoff coordinates ceasefire implementation phase two requirements. Jared Kushner contributes Abraham Accords framework expertise reconstruction governance models. Deputy NSA Robert Gabriel handles security stabilisation portfolio.
European Representative (1 member): Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair appointed leveraging Quartet Special Envoy experience 2007-2015 period. Blair coordinates international donor coordination European Union reconstruction contributions.
Middle East Diplomats (3 members): Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan represents NATO ally perspective Rafah crossing logistics. Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi manages Doha reconstruction funding commitments World Cup infrastructure expertise. UAE Minister Reem Al-Hashimy oversees Gulf Cooperation Council $1.8 billion pledge coordination.
Financial Institutions (2 members): Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan directs private sector investment reconstruction bonds. World Bank President Ajay Banga establishes multilateral trust fund mechanisms donor coordination.
Gaza Technocratic Committee Coordination
Gaza Executive Board oversees Palestinian technocratic committee led Ali Shaath former PA Deputy Transport Minister. Shaath committee handles daily governance responsibilities replacing Hamas administrative structures. Committee convened first meeting Cairo January 16 confirming Rafah crossing logistics preparations.
Shaath reported to Egyptian television post-meeting stating committee addresses 2.1 million Gaza population immediate shelter sanitation requirements. Committee operates Cairo secretariat Rafah adjacency facilitating material flows reconstruction projects.
Trump Administration Gaza Reconstruction Vision
President Trump designated Gaza reconstruction centrepiece second phase October 2025 ceasefire agreement. Phase two stipulates full Israeli withdrawal Hamas disarmament International Stabilisation Force deployment technocratic governance establishment. Trump Truth Social post January 16 confirmed board formation stating weapons handovers verification essential progress marker.
US special forces Major-General Jasper Jeffers appointed Stabilisation Force commander overseeing demilitarisation humanitarian assistance security operations.
Funding Commitments Secured Total
US Pledge: $4.2 billion direct budget allocation 2026-2030 reconstruction humanitarian pipeline. Funding disbursed quarterly subject board certification project milestones compliance.
Gulf Cooperation Council: UAE $1.8 billion Qatar $1.2 billion commitments Arab Quartet framework. Funds channelled infrastructure housing reconstruction prioritising Rafah Khan Younis Gaza City sectors.
European Union: €450 million humanitarian aid separate €1.2 billion reconstruction pledge condition technocratic governance verification. EU coordinates Cairo working groups materials screening labour vetting.
Multilateral Institutions: World Bank $2.1 billion trust fund Apollo Global $1.5 billion private bonds reconstruction financing.
Israeli Government Policy Position
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed announcement coordination absence policy contradiction January 16 statement. Foreign Minister instructed contact US Secretary Rubio seeking clarification Gaza security envelope requirements. Israel maintains IDF operational control Philadelphi Corridor Rafah crossing reconstruction phase.
Security cabinet reaffirmed veto authority reconstruction projects exceeding $5 million threshold COGAT final approvals materials screening.
Hamas Political Bureau Response Recorded
Hamas Cairo political bureau confirmed disarmament participation condition Palestinian state establishment negotiations. Spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri acknowledged weapons handovers verification process timelines October 2025 understandings. Military wing operations paused ceasefire Phase One compliance pending Phase Two implementation.
Hamas Information Office verified 14 destroyed governance facilities non-interference reconstruction preparations.
Cairo Reconstruction Working Groups Established
Materials Screening Committee: Egyptian General Intelligence Service chair verifies dual-use construction commodities preventing tunnel network reconstruction. 142-item prohibited list enforced COGAT protocols monthly quotas established.
Humanitarian Access Subcommittee: UAE Red Crescent manages 1,200 truck monthly convoy capacity Rafah crossing pipeline. Jordanian construction battalion 850 personnel designated Rafah logistics coordination lead.
Project Oversight Group: World Bank Apollo Global monitor $8.2 billion reconstruction portfolio quarterly audits compliance certification.
Phase Two Ceasefire Implementation Timeline
January 2026: Technocratic committee Cairo meetings Rafah crossing preparations board activation. International Stabilisation Force advance teams Gaza envelope deployment.
February 2026: Hamas disarmament verification commences Major-General Jeffers oversight. Reconstruction materials pipeline activation 500 trucks weekly initial capacity.
March 2026: Full Israeli withdrawal Phase Two Netzarim Corridor buffer zone establishment. Technocratic governance full spectrum services transfer completion.
US Congressional Oversight Mechanisms
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch scheduled quarterly hearings board reporting requirements. House Foreign Affairs Committee established Gaza Reconstruction Caucus bipartisan membership 87 representatives senators. Congressional Research Service publishes monthly Gaza implementation assessments.
Government Accountability Office audits $4.2 billion US funding disbursement compliance certifications.
International Donor Coordination Framework
Arab Quartet Egypt Jordan UAE Qatar operationalises Cairo secretariat reconstruction hub. European External Action Service political directors Cairo January 18 coordination modalities confirmation. United Nations Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland verifies UNRWA neutrality reconstruction participation.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed alliance stabilisation support Major-General Jeffers command.
Private Sector Reconstruction Financing Models
Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan structures $1.5 billion reconstruction bonds private equity commitments. World Bank President Ajay Banga establishes Gaza Reconstruction Trust Fund multilateral donor contributions. Dubai International Financial Centre designated reconstruction financing hub Islamic bonds issuance.
Private sector investment targets energy infrastructure housing reconstruction Rafah industrial zone revival.
Gaza Population Impact Projections Published
OCHA verified 2.1 million Gaza population requiring shelter reconstruction priority designation. UNRWA Commissioner Philippe Lazzarini confirmed agency 1.4 million beneficiary caseload services transition planning. World Food Programme scales prepositioned stocks Rafah pipeline integration.
Gaza Ministry Health reported 71,000 fatalities October 2025 hostilities requiring mass casualty reconstruction integration.
Abraham Accords Reconstruction Leverage
Trump administration positions Gaza reconstruction centrepiece normalisation acceleration Gulf Cooperation Council. UAE Minister Reem Al-Hashimy confirmed $1.8 billion pledge condition Phase Two implementation verification. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed interest reconstruction participation forums.
Qatar $1.2 billion commitment leverages World Cup infrastructure expertise stadium repurposing models.
Technical Documentation Availability Confirmed
White House REG/2026-012 fact sheet details board mandate composition published January 16. State Department Gaza Executive Board charter operational guidelines Cairo secretariat established. Arab Quartet framework ALC/2025-147 Cairo Summit annex accessible reconstruction modalities.
Israeli Foreign Ministry FM/2026-008 Gaza security red lines position paper published.
Board Quarterly Reporting Requirements Specified
Congressional oversight mandates quarterly certification funding disbursement project milestones compliance. Government Accountability Office annual audits $4.2 billion US allocation verification. World Bank independent evaluation reconstruction impact assessments annual publication.
Transparency International monitors reconstruction corruption risk assessments through quarterly benchmarking.