Two Prominent Wealth Owners in the Gaza Council.. Get to Know Them

SadaNews - After moving to the second phase of the Gaza agreement, the White House unveiled the executive council that will work on implementing the vision of the "Peace Council".

It explained that this council will include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Envoy Steve Hittkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, CEO of Apollo Global Management Mark Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Trump's Deputy National Security Advisor Robert Gabriel.

This council will also include Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Dhuwadi, director of Egypt's General Intelligence Service Hassan Rashad, and UAE Minister Reem Al-Hashimy, in addition to Israeli businessman Yakir Gabai and former Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Middle East expert Sigrid Kaag.

So what do we know about businessmen Gabai and Rowan?

The Shadow Man in the Global Investment World

American businessman Mark Rowan is a prominent figure in the investment world. He has played a significant role in making Apollo one of the largest investment firms in the world, with extensive charitable activity and increasing influence in academic and political circles, as well as support for combating "anti-Semitism".

Rowan, born on August 19, 1962, is considered one of the most notable faces of investment in the United States, being the co-founder and CEO of Apollo Global Management, one of the largest alternative investment firms globally. The company's assets are estimated to reach $785 billion according to 2025 data, making it a significant player in global credit and private equity markets, according to "Forbes".

He took over as CEO of the company in 2021 after the resignation of founder Leon Black, continued to strengthen Apollo's position in acquisitions and major deals, alongside expanding the company's operations and international investments.

His wealth is estimated at about $8.2 billion according to Forbes' 2026 list, and he has diverse investments including restaurants in the Hamptons, and was an investor in Beats Electronics before its sale to Apple.

Despite his strong presence in the financial world, Rowan, known for his calm nature, prefers to stay out of the spotlight.

Gabai.. A Family That Held Prominent Positions in Israel

Meanwhile, Israeli businessman Yakir Gabai is known for his calm demeanor and limited media presence.

However, he is considered one of the most influential businessmen in the European real estate sector. He owns 15% of Aroundtown SA, the largest commercial real estate company in Europe by managed assets, which has a portfolio nearing $30 billion spread across Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, according to "Forbes".

He began his career in the Israeli Securities Authority before moving to the private sector and becoming the CEO of the underwriting arm of Leumi Bank, one of Israel's largest banks.

Since 2004, he has shifted his focus to real estate, starting to buy buildings in Berlin after property prices fell there, then expanding to major European cities like Amsterdam, London, and Frankfurt.

Gabai comes from a family that has held prominent official positions in Israel. His father, Meir Gabai, was the General Director of the Israeli Ministry of Justice and a commissioner of the civil service.

His mother, Yomima Gabai, held a senior position in the Attorney General's Office and chaired the pardon section at the Israeli Ministry of Justice.

His wealth is estimated at $4.1 billion according to "Forbes" ranking in January 2026.

It is worth noting that Nikolai Mladenov, a former Bulgarian politician and the United Nations envoy to the Middle East, is expected to act as the representative of the executive council to oversee daily affairs in Gaza.

While the Palestinian committee that will govern the sector will be headed by Ali Shaath, an engineer and a former official in the Palestinian Authority.