Israel Appoints Nickolay Mladenov to Lead Trump’s Gaza Peace Board

Post by : Saif Nasser

Israel announced on Thursday that Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov has been chosen to lead U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza. The board is responsible for overseeing the Gaza ceasefire and guiding the next stage of the peace process.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the announcement after meeting Mladenov in Jerusalem. He said Mladenov will serve as the director-general of the board and will handle its daily operations on the ground.

A senior U.S. official also confirmed that Mladenov is the Trump administration’s choice, although a formal statement from Washington is still expected. President Trump is expected to lead the board, with additional members likely to be announced next week.

Purpose of the Gaza Peace Board

The Board of Peace plays a central role in President Trump’s Middle East policy. Its mission is to supervise the Gaza ceasefire and manage the next and more complex phase of the agreement.

The board is expected to oversee the creation of a technocratic Palestinian government, support the disarmament of Hamas, help deploy an international security force, manage further Israeli troop withdrawals, and coordinate Gaza’s reconstruction.

Officials say progress has been slow so far due to security concerns, political disagreements, and humanitarian pressures.

Mladenov’s Experience

Nickolay Mladenov has long experience in international diplomacy and regional affairs. He has served as Bulgaria’s defense minister and foreign minister and later worked with the United Nations on Middle East peace efforts.

During his diplomatic career, Mladenov maintained working relations with Israeli officials and Palestinian leaders. He was involved in efforts to reduce tensions between Israel and Hamas during periods of conflict.

Israeli and U.S. officials say his experience and regional knowledge make him a suitable choice for leading the Gaza peace board.

Ceasefire Under Pressure

The Gaza ceasefire, which began in October, brought an end to more than two years of heavy fighting between Israel and Hamas. The first phase included a halt in major combat and the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

However, the ceasefire remains fragile. Hamas has not yet returned the remains of one Israeli hostage taken during the October 7, 2023 attack that began the war. Israel continues to carry out military actions, saying these are responses to violations of the agreement.

Palestinian health officials say hundreds of people have been killed since the ceasefire began, including civilians. Israel disputes some of the claims and says its actions are defensive.

Civilian Deaths and Humanitarian Concerns

On Thursday, Israeli strikes across Gaza reportedly killed at least eight people and wounded more than a dozen others. Among those killed were children and civilians living in temporary shelters.

Families affected by the strikes questioned whether the ceasefire is being respected. Hamas described the deaths as violations of the agreement, while Israel said it was responding to security threats.

The continued violence has raised concerns among international observers about the stability of the ceasefire.

International Reactions

Leaders from Egypt and the European Union, meeting in Cairo, called for the deployment of an international stabilization force in Gaza to help maintain the ceasefire.

European officials warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening. They said Hamas’ refusal to disarm and restrictions on humanitarian organizations are slowing progress.

United Nations officials also warned that pressure on aid agencies could disrupt access to health care, education, and essential services for Gaza’s population.

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