Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened a meeting with his top advisers to discuss Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace' for Gaza, expressing concerns that the US has not included Israel in discussions related to its formation.
Netanyahu's office emphasized that the initiative was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy, following the announcement of the committee's Gaza Executive Board, which includes Turkish and Qatari officials, as well as former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
The Board of Peace, which is part of Trump's 20-point plan aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas war, is expected to temporarily oversee Gaza's governance and its rebuilding efforts, although its specific structure remains unclear and new members are still being recruited.
Two senior bodies have been formally introduced, both operating under the main Board of Peace. The founding Executive Board is focused on investment and diplomacy, while the Gaza Executive Board will manage all on-the-ground operations linked to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).
As it stands, the sole Israeli member of the Gaza Executive Board is businessman Yakir Gabay, currently based in Cyprus and there are no Palestinian representatives on either of the senior boards. Israel's National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of the Board, advocating instead for a stricter approach against Hamas.
Official reactions in Israel have been mixed, with opposition leader Yair Lapid calling it a diplomatic setback for the country. Qatar and Turkey, whose leaders have criticized Israeli military actions in Gaza, are confirmed board members.
The overarching Board of Peace is expected to be populated by international leaders, with President Trump acting as chairman. Notable figures from the UK, Hungary, Argentina, Jordan, Turkey, India, and Egypt have reportedly been invited, although reactions have been cautious. Currently, only Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close Trump ally, has confirmed his participation.
Amid the political discussions, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with the UN estimating significant destruction and suffering among civilians. They noted that while help has been delivered, the dire needs of the population are still far from met, especially with winter approaching.
Israel claims to be facilitating humanitarian aid but argues that UN bureaucratic issues have hindered effective distribution. The situation remains tense as both humanitarian and diplomatic efforts navigate the complexities of the ongoing conflict.
