Donald Trump appoints Marco Rubio and Tony Blair to the Gaza peace council

Trump himself will preside over the body and it is expected that more appointments will be announced in the coming weeks.

Blair is a controversial choice in the Middle East because of his role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Trump himself said last year that he wanted to make sure it was a “acceptable option for everyone”.

Trump announced the creation of this council on Thursday, a key element of phase two of a Washington-backed plan to end the war in the Palestinian territory.

“I can say with certainty that it is the largest and most prestigious council ever assembled at any time and place”the president said on social networks when he made the announcement.

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The creation of the council comes shortly after the announcement of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with administering the Gaza Strip post-war. Former Palestinian deputy minister Ali Shaath will head the committee.

The US president also appointed US Major General Jasper Jeffers on Friday to lead the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza.

The peace plan for Gaza backed by USA first came into force on October 10, facilitating the return of all hostages held by Hamas and the end of the fighting between militants of that group and Israel.

The second phase of the plan is now underway, although overshadowed by unresolved issues.

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For the Palestinians, the central issue is still the complete military withdrawal from Israel of Gazaa step included in the framework of the plan, but for which a detailed schedule has not been announced.

Hamas has refused to publicly commit to total disarmament, a non-negotiable demand on the part of Israel.