U.S. Expands Gaza Council Invitations as Disputed $1 Billion Membership Clause Surfaces

Overview

• President Donald Trump is chairing the newly announced Council of Peace for Gaza, naming an initial executive cohort that includes Marco Rubio, Tony Blair, Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, Ajay Banga, Marc Rowan and Robert Gabriel.
• Jordan confirmed receiving an invitation, Brazil’s Lula is evaluating the offer, Argentina’s Javier Milei signaled he will join, and a senior Canadian official said Prime Minister Mark Carney intends to accept, while Egypt and Turkey say they are reviewing.
• A draft statute reported by Reuters and Bloomberg outlines three‑year terms with lifetime membership for contributors of at least US$1 billion, a provision the White House disputes while saying permanent status could reflect a deep commitment.
• The plan’s security track names Major‑General Jasper Jeffers to lead a proposed International Stabilization Force for Gaza, with a mandate to help maintain security and train a new police force.
• Observers and regional actors question the council’s legitimacy because Palestinians are not in the top decision‑making bodies and figures like Blair are contentious, and Israel has queried coordination of the new structures.