President Donald Trump has unveiled his "Board of Peace" as a cornerstone of efforts to rebuild Gaza after years of devastating conflict, positioning it as a streamlined alternative to traditional UN mechanisms. Dubbed by critics as Trump's own "United Nations," this high-profile panel aims to oversee demilitarization, reconstruction, and governance in the war-torn enclave. With invitations sent to global leaders and a hefty price tag for permanent spots, it's sparking debate on innovation versus overreach in Middle East peacemaking.​

Launched within Trump's broader 20-point Gaza plan—first outlined in late 2025 and backed by a UN Security Council resolution—the board steps in as a transitional authority. It promises to coordinate billions in funding for Gaza's revival, where 80% of buildings lie damaged and 2 million residents endure tent cities amid rubble. Trump chairs the group with veto power, emphasizing lean operations free from the "exorbitant salaries and bloat" plaguing other international bodies.​

Key players include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, former UK PM Tony Blair, Apollo CEO Marc Rowan, World Bank head Ajay Banga, and deputy NSA Robert Gabriel. Trump has invited India's PM Narendra Modi and others, touting it as the "greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled." Notably absent: Palestinian Authority reps, with daily Gaza ops handed to a technocratic Palestinian committee under separate executive boards involving Qatar, UAE, and Turkey—moves Israel opposes.​

Membership math adds intrigue: Countries get three-year terms for free, but $1 billion buys a permanent seat, with every dollar funneled straight to Gaza rebuilds. This pay-to-play model underscores Trump's business-like approach, contrasting UN's consensus-driven (and often stalled) style—like its struggles with Syria or Yemen aid. White House officials frame it as rewarding "deep commitment to peace," potentially raising funds efficiently for Gaza's massive needs.​

While authorized through 2027 solely for Gaza, the board's charter hints at expansion to other hotspots, alarming diplomats who see it undermining UN fundamentals. Israel PM Netanyahu slammed uncoordinated inclusions like Turkey and Qatar, Hamas backers in his view. Success could redefine post-conflict recovery—imagine similar boards for Ukraine—but risks echo past US-led ventures like Iraq's Coalition Provisional Authority, where bold starts met messy ends.