Overview
- Reports citing the Financial Times say Tony Blair was quietly removed from consideration for a top role on President Trump’s proposed Gaza “board of peace.”
- Blair could shift to a smaller executive committee expected to be led by former UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov, with figures such as Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff also involved, according to briefed sources.
- Regional opposition centered on Blair’s backing of the 2003 Iraq invasion and concerns that Palestinians could be sidelined under a council chaired by Trump.
- Hamas welcomed Blair’s reported removal and reiterated it will not accept any international force tasked with forcibly disarming Palestinian factions, while signaling conditional openness to a long-term ceasefire.
- Key mechanics remain unresolved as the U.S. aims to announce the board by month’s end alongside Netanyahu’s Dec. 29 visit, including formal appointments and any troop commitments for a stabilization force.