Trump invites Erdoğan as founding member of Gaza Peace Council

US President Donald Trump has invited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to serve as a founding member of the newly established Gaza Peace Council, part of the second phase of his Gaza Peace Plan. The initiative aims to oversee governance, security, and reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip.

The Peace Council will operate alongside an Executive Council tasked with supporting the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is among the members of this Executive Council, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

Communications Director Burhanettin Duran of the Turkish Presidential Administration confirmed the invitation, stating:

"The United Nations Security Council, with Resolution 2803, has decided to support the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict announced by US President Donald Trump. In this context, the Peace Council and its bodies responsible for ensuring security and reconstruction in Gaza are being established. US President Donald Trump sent a letter on January 16, 2026, inviting our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to be a founding member of the Peace Council as its founding chairman."

Peace Council members

The White House has announced the roster of members who will serve in various capacities within the Peace Council, chaired by Trump: 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio,

Trump’s Special Representative for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff,

Jared Kushner, former senior advisor and Trump’s son-in-law,

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair,

Marc Rowan, chairman of Apollo Group,

Ajay Banga, Indian-American businessman and former Mastercard CEO,

US Deputy National Security Advisor Robert Gabriel.

Executive Council

The Executive Council, which will support governance and service activities in Gaza, includes:

Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Havadi,

Egyptian intelligence chief General Hassan Rashad, Tony Blair, Marc Rowan, UAE Minister of International Cooperation Reem Al-Hashimi, Former Bulgarian MEP and UN Special Representative for Middle East Peace, Nickolay Mladenov, Cypriot-Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay, Former Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Sigrid Kaag.

International Stability Force

American Major General Jasper Jeffers has been appointed as Commander of the International Stability Force (ISF), with Nickolay Mladenov serving as the High Representative for Gaza and field liaison between the Peace Council and the Gaza National Committee.

The stability force is expected to include personnel from at least three countries, with reports suggesting Italy, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Bangladesh among them. The force is slated to operate in Gaza until the end of 2027.

A separate committee composed of Palestinian technocrats will oversee day-to-day governance and services, led by Palestinian Minister Ali Shaat.

By Vafa Guliyeva