Israel says Bulgarian diplomat to direct Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza
The Board of Peace is meant to oversee the implementation of the second and far more complicated phase of the Gaza ceasefire
A former UN Middle East envoy has been chosen to direct US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace to oversee the ceasefire in Gaza, Israel’s prime minister said on Thursday, as at least eight more deaths from Israeli strikes were reported there.
The appointment of Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov marks an important step forward for Trump’s Middle East peace plan, which has moved slowly since delivering an October ceasefire ending more than two years of fighting between Israel and Hamas.
Benjamin Netanyahu made the announcement after meeting Mladenov in Jerusalem, identifying him as the “designated” director general for the board, which is meant to oversee the implementation of the second and far more complicated phase of the ceasefire.
A senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the appointment has not been officially announced, confirmed Mladenov was the Trump administration’s choice to be the board’s day-to-day administrator on the ground.
Trump has said he would head the board. Other appointments were expected next week, according to Israeli and American officials, who both spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement.