By Tim Frazer
In a bold move that has ignited both hope and controversy across the Middle East, President Donald J. Trump has appointed Dr. Ali Shaath, a Gaza-born engineer with a PhD in engineering, as the Chief Commissioner of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). This appointment, part of Trump’s broader 20-Point Peace Plan, aims to transform the war-torn Gaza Strip into a beacon of safety, prosperity, and peace. As of January 25, 2026, the latest developments suggest tangible progress: Shaath announced just days ago that the Rafah crossing, shuttered for over two years amid conflict, will reopen next week, potentially easing the humanitarian crisis and kickstarting reconstruction.
Dr. Shaath’s story is one of resilience and expertise rooted in the very soil he now seeks to heal. Born in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip, Shaath holds advanced degrees in engineering and has served in key roles within the Palestinian Authority, including as a former Minister of Planning and deputy transportation minister. His background in public administration and economic development positions him as a technocrat rather than a politician a deliberate choice by the Trump administration to focus on practical rebuilding over ideological battles. In his first official act on January 17, 2026, Shaath signed the NCAG’s Mission Statement, pledging to restore essential services like electricity, water, healthcare, and education while fostering a productive economy to combat unemployment. “We embrace peace, through which we strive to secure the path to true Palestinian rights and self-determination,” the statement reads, echoing Trump’s emphasis on demilitarization and stability.
The NCAG, authorized by UN Security Council Resolution 2803, operates under the oversight of the Board of Peace, a high-profile council chaired by Trump himself and featuring influential figures like Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, Tony Blair, and international representatives such as Turkey’s Hakan Fidan and the UAE’s Reem Al-Hashimy. This “Phase Two” of Trump’s peace framework involves a 15-member technocratic body led by Shaath, focused on day-to-day governance, reconstruction, and demilitarizing groups like Hamas with international support. Proponents hail it as a pragmatic solution to Gaza’s woes, with Shaath vowing to build a society “rooted in peace, democracy, and justice.”
Yet, the plan’s rollout has not been without hurdles. On January 22, Shaath’s announcement of the Rafah crossing’s reopening shared via video and quickly amplified across social media marks a critical step forward. “I’m pleased to announce that the Rafah crossing will reopen in both directions next week,” Shaath stated, a development that could facilitate aid inflows and movement for Palestinians. However, Israel has imposed conditions, and reports indicate ongoing efforts to undermine the committee, including detaining Shaath for hours at a border crossing and restricting access to existing civil servants. Shaath has faced backlash in Israel for publicly blaming the occupation for his father’s death due to starvation and lack of medicine, demanding accountability a stance that has endeared him to some Palestinians but complicated relations.
Reactions to Shaath’s appointment and the broader plan are sharply divided. Supporters, including some U.S. allies, see it as a lifeline for Gaza’s 2 million residents, ravaged by years of conflict. Turkish President Erdoğan was invited as a founding member but declined, opting instead to send Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. On the other hand, critics like prominent Palestinian figure Hanan Ashrawi decry it as an “American Board of Colonialism,” arguing it sidelines Palestinian sovereignty and imposes external control without addressing core issues like occupation. Palestinian voices in Gaza express skepticism, with some viewing the Board of Peace packed with billionaires and political heavyweights as prioritizing foreign interests over local needs.
As Shaath steps into this high-stakes role, the question looms: Can an engineer from Gaza, backed by Trump’s deal-making prowess, truly rebuild the enclave? With the Rafah reopening on the horizon and international eyes watching, the coming weeks will test whether this initiative delivers on its promises or unravels amid geopolitical tensions. For Gaza’s weary population, the hope is that peace isn’t just a plan on paper but a reality rebuilt brick by brick.
