Trump appoints Nickolay Mladenov as head of Gaza peace board

Nickolay Mladenov, a seasoned Bulgarian diplomat and former UN envoy to the Middle East, has been named director-general of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Gaza. The appointment, announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and confirmed by a US official, positions Mladenov as the top official of the international body tasked with overseeing Gaza under the next phase of a US-brokered ceasefire.

The board, chaired by Trump, is expected to supervise a new technocratic Palestinian government, oversee Hamas disarmament, coordinate an international security force, implement further Israeli troop withdrawals, and manage reconstruction efforts.

Mladenov, 53, has extensive experience in Middle Eastern politics. He previously served as Bulgaria’s defence and foreign minister and was the UN envoy to Iraq before becoming the UN Mideast peace envoy from 2015 to 2020. During his tenure, he worked to defuse tensions between Israel and Hamas and promoted negotiated solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Experts praised his balanced approach. Milen Keremedchiev, former Bulgarian diplomat, said Mladenov earned the trust of both Israeli and Palestinian leaders, reflecting Bulgaria’s traditionally moderate stance in the region. Retired Israeli diplomat Alon Bar noted that Mladenov built strong relationships with officials on both sides, a rare achievement for a UN envoy given Israel’s cautious stance toward the organization.

Earlier in his career, Mladenov hosted the first-ever meeting of the Syrian opposition in Bulgaria during the Arab Spring, fostering structured dialogue among groups opposing Bashar Assad. He has also been recognized for his peace efforts with the Grand Star of the Order of Jerusalem, awarded by the Palestinian president in 2021.

Currently based in the UAE, Mladenov directs the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy. He holds master’s degrees in War Studies from King’s College London and International Relations from the University of National and World Economy in Sofia.

Bar said Mladenov’s skill in “connecting, finding bridges, and identifying common ground” will be invaluable in his new role. “I think he’s the right man for this very difficult task,” he added.