Trump Appoints Nikolay Mladenov To Lead Gaza 'Peace Council'

President Donald Trump has selected Bulgarian diplomat Nikolay Mladenov to be director-general of a Trump-backed 'Peace Council' responsible for Gaza's stabilization, disarming Hamas, and overseeing a technocratic Palestinian administration and reconstruction.

Several news outlets report the appointment as pending or designated.

ABC4 Utah

News4JAX quoted two anonymous officials saying a formal announcement was pending that Mladenov had been named the 'designated' director-general, while China Daily Asia described him as the Bulgarian diplomat and former UN Middle East peace coordinator tapped to lead the proposed Gaza 'Peace Council'.

Bulgarian news agency BGNES reported high-level meetings in Ramallah between Mladenov and Palestinian leaders to discuss implementing the Trump plan and UN Security Council Resolution 2803.

The Trump-backed plan linked to Mladenov envisions a technocratic Palestinian administration, the disarmament of Hamas, an international security or stabilization force, and supervision of Israeli troop withdrawals and reconstruction.

News4JAX summarized the board's scope as overseeing a technocratic Palestinian government, disarming Hamas, deploying an international security force, supervising further Israeli troop pullbacks, and coordinating reconstruction.

Al-Jazeera Net

Chinadailyasia described the plan as envisioning an international security/stabilization force and a temporary technocratic Palestinian administration that would exclude Hamas.

Click2Houston and BGNES noted continuing discussions about implementation and Palestinian priorities, including reintegration of Gaza institutions under the Palestinian Authority.

Despite the ceasefire arrangement that began in October, Israeli forces continue operations in Gaza that sources report have killed civilians.

“Israeli strikes on Thursday killed at least 13 people in Gaza, including five children, the territory’s civil defense agency said”

ARY News

Antiwar.com reported that WAFA said Israeli forces sharply escalated attacks across Gaza in breach of a US-backed ceasefire, killing at least 15 Palestinians, including five children, and detailed strikes on tent camps, schools and neighborhoods.

Local reporting and Western outlets corroborate these reports of civilian deaths.

seMissourian wrote that an 11-year-old girl, Hamsa Housou, was killed by Israeli gunfire, while CBC also reported that Israeli strikes killed at least seven Palestinians, including children and the 11-year-old Hamsa Housou.

News4JAX described a Thursday hit on a tent camp that killed an 11-year-old girl.

These sources attribute deaths directly to Israeli military actions and document strikes on civilian shelters.

Humanitarian officials and regional leaders warn of a worsening services vacuum in Gaza even as political plans advance.

UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said Israeli pressure on UNRWA 'risks a huge vacuum in Gaza services.'

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Multiple sources cite Gaza health ministry figures for deaths since the ceasefire: China Daily Asia reported at least 425 Palestinians killed and 1,206 injured since Oct. 11, 2025, while the Southeast Missourian and News4JAX cite more than 400 reported deaths since the truce.

EU and Egyptian leaders pressed for an international stabilization force in Cairo, and Kaja Kallas called the situation 'extremely severe,' underscoring international alarm over both security and humanitarian needs.

Palestinian officials welcome elements of the plan but insist on priorities such as withdrawal of Israeli forces, political unity, and increased aid.

“Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh received Bulgarian diplomat Nikolay Mladenov and his accompanying delegation in Ramallah, BGNES reports”

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Arab and Muslim actors opposed some proposed leaders while Western commentators varied in tone.

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BGNES reported that Al-Sheikh reaffirmed Palestine's acceptance of the Trump plan and willingness to work toward a two-state peace, while urging an end to unilateral Israeli measures like settlement expansion, settler violence, and withholding Palestinian funds.

Chinadailyasia noted that Mladenov's candidacy followed reported Arab and Muslim opposition to appointing Tony Blair to lead the body.

The Times of India linked recent Israeli strikes to their timing around a Trump-linked 'Board of Peace' event.

Democracy Now! and other alternative outlets framed U.S. policy and the board with sharper criticism of Washington's approach.

Mainstream outlets offered a mix of official statements and on-the-ground casualty reporting.