Israel Objects to Composition of Trump's Gaza 'Board of Peace'

Israel has expressed objections to the composition of the U.S.-initiated 'Board of Peace,' which is set to oversee the next phase of Gaza's reconstruction. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated that the announcement regarding the board's composition "was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the Foreign Affairs Minister to discuss the matter with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The 'Board of Peace' is part of a broader initiative led by U.S. President Donald Trump to manage Gaza's governance and reconstruction following a ceasefire. The board's executive committee includes figures such as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Several countries have been invited to join the board. Russian President Vladimir Putin received an invitation, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that Russia is "studying the details" and will seek clarity on "all the nuances" in discussions with the U.S. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has also been invited and is ready to participate, according to the country's Foreign Ministry.

The European Commission confirmed that its president, Ursula von der Leyen, received an invitation and will consult with other EU leaders regarding Gaza. A spokesperson indicated the commission's desire "to contribute to a comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict."

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized the board, calling it detrimental to Israel and advocating for its dissolution. He stated, "It is time to explain to the president that his plan is bad for the State of Israel and to cancel it."

The U.S. is expected to announce the official list of board members in the coming days, likely during the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The board will oversee an executive committee responsible for implementing the next phase of the Gaza peace plan, which includes deploying an international security force, disarming Hamas, and reconstructing the war-devastated territory.