Trump's son-in-law and Tony Blair to jointly oversee Gaza

Western sources have confirmed that Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump, along with Steve Witkoff, will play leading roles in managing Gaza's recovery. The two, instrumental in negotiating the recent ceasefire, are set to guide the practical rebuilding of the conflict-ravaged region under US-backed plans expected to be unveiled this month.

Despite their focus on Gaza, Kushner and Witkoff have also been active in US initiatives addressing the conflict in Ukraine. According to briefings provided to media outlets in the US and Israel, both will join Sir Tony Blair on Gazas executive management board, which will operate under a higher board of peace chaired by Trump himself.

The plan, now supported by the United Nations, was mainly crafted over the summer by Kushner and Blair. Their collaboration dates back to the Abraham Accords, which Blair assisted Kushner in securing between Israel, the UAE, and other nations during Trumps presidency.

The executive board will oversee a team of 12 to 15 Palestinian technocrats unaffiliated with Hamas or Fatah. The overarching board of peace will include leaders from Arab and European countries, such as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Trump is expected to provide details of the second phase of the plan, focusing on the establishment of government and security structures in a post-Hamas Gaza, including the appointment of governing officials, before Christmas.

Hamas Disarmament Remains a Challenge

While Hamas has signaled willingness to transfer power to a Palestinian government in Gaza, it continues to refuse disarmament, a core requirement for Israel before any withdrawal. A Western official told Axios that the plan is progressing rapidly, with the main uncertainty being Hamas readiness to disarm and permit a new governing body to take control.

Kushner, who does not hold a formal government role in the current US administration, has been leveraging his Middle Eastern business connections since his tenure as a senior presidential advisor. He is currently spearheading plans for alternative safe communities, aiming to create temporary, functional villages in the Israeli-controlled east and south of Gaza to encourage movement away from Hamas-controlled areas.

International Stabilization Efforts

Negotiators are finalizing the mandate for an international stabilization force and determining contributing countries. Indonesia and Azerbaijan have expressed readiness to send troops, while some prospective contributors seek Turkish participation, believing Hamas would avoid targeting Turkish forces. Israel, accusing Turkey of backing Hamas, has rejected its involvement.

Kushners reconstruction strategy largely targets the green zone, where few Gazans reside. A European official involved in the initiative noted that current efforts are concentrated there, with no clear plan yet to remove Hamas.

Although Israeli authorities publicly support the 20-point peace proposal, they privately anticipate that the IDF might need to resume military operations in 2026 to fully defeat Hamas. Such an intervention risks undermining Arab and Muslim backing if significant civilian casualties occur. Since the October 11 ceasefire, approximately 360 Gazans have reportedly died due to Israeli strikes, alongside several IDF casualties.

Author: Aiden Foster