Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu has convened a meeting with his top advisers to discuss US President Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace' for Gaza, after Israel said it was not included in talks about the makeup of the board's lower bodies. The US on Saturday named the first members of the Gaza Executive Board - including Turkey's foreign minister, a Qatari official, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Netanyahu's office has since stated that this was 'not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy'. The 'Board of Peace' is part of Trump's 20-point plan aimed at ending the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and is expected to temporarily oversee the governance of Gaza.
The exact structure of the board, responsible for managing Gaza's reconstruction and administration, remains unclear, with members still being invited. So far, the only Israeli member is businessman Yakir Gabay, and notably, there are no Palestinians included in the senior board. Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, voiced his opposition to any administrative committee overseeing Gaza, insisting it should be cleansed of Hamas terrorists. Meanwhile, opposition leader Yair Lapid described the announcement as a 'diplomatic failure for Israel'.
The overarching Board of Peace will consist of world leaders, with President Trump as its chairman. Invitations have reportedly been extended to leaders from several countries, although responses have been cautious, with only Hungary's Viktor Orban confirming his participation. As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, the United Nations has warned that 80% of buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, further complicating aid delivery amidst harsh winter conditions.
The exact structure of the board, responsible for managing Gaza's reconstruction and administration, remains unclear, with members still being invited. So far, the only Israeli member is businessman Yakir Gabay, and notably, there are no Palestinians included in the senior board. Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, voiced his opposition to any administrative committee overseeing Gaza, insisting it should be cleansed of Hamas terrorists. Meanwhile, opposition leader Yair Lapid described the announcement as a 'diplomatic failure for Israel'.
The overarching Board of Peace will consist of world leaders, with President Trump as its chairman. Invitations have reportedly been extended to leaders from several countries, although responses have been cautious, with only Hungary's Viktor Orban confirming his participation. As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, the United Nations has warned that 80% of buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, further complicating aid delivery amidst harsh winter conditions.
