JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that veteran Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov will serve as the Director-General of the newly formed Board of Peace (BoP). This high-level body is the centerpiece of President Donald Trump’s post-conflict strategy for the Gaza Strip.
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Established under UN Security Council Resolution 2803, the Board of Peace functions as an international transitional authority. Mladenov will lead the day-to-day operations of a mandate that currently runs through late 2027. His primary objectives include:
- Political Oversight: Supervising the installation of a technocratic Palestinian administration.
- Security Coordination: Working alongside the International Stabilization Force (ISF) to ensure the complete disarmament of militant groups.
- Economic Recovery: Managing the multi-billion dollar reconstruction fund intended to rebuild Gaza’s infrastructure.
Why Mladenov?
The selection of Mladenov is seen as a strategic move to ensure stability. As the former UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (2015–2020), he brings several key assets to the role:
- Trust: He is one of the few diplomats who maintains “open-door” relationships with both the Israeli security establishment and regional Arab leadership.
- Experience: His previous roles as Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister and a UN envoy to Iraq give him a unique toolkit for handling state-building in high-conflict zones.
- Diplomatic Neutrality: Mladenov emerged as a consensus candidate after earlier proposals for other international figures failed to gain regional support.
Next Steps
While the Israeli government has signaled its approval, the White House is expected to release the full 10-member roster of the Board next week. President Trump remains the Chair of the Board, signaling direct U.S. involvement in the success of the transition.
