The Israeli government has formally objected to several of the White House's chosen leaders for a proposed 'board of peace', a body intended to temporarily govern and oversee the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Controversial Appointments Spark Diplomatic Tension
Over the past two days, a series of high-profile appointments and invitations to join the board were announced. The list includes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Argentina's President Javier Milei.
Israel stated that some of these selections were "not coordinated with Israel and were contrary to its policy". While Jerusalem did not specify which individuals it opposed, the objection signals a significant diplomatic rift with the United States on post-war planning for Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his foreign minister to contact US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the matter.
The Board's Ambitious Mandate and Structure
Former US President Donald Trump, who unveiled the board as part of a 20-point plan to end the conflict, described it on Thursday as the "greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled, at any time, any place". It is designed to assume temporary governance of Gaza, replacing Hamas.
The exact composition remains fluid, but two separate governing boards have been outlined. A 'founding executive board' will concentrate on investment and foreign relations. This seven-member panel includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Tony Blair, with Trump serving as chair.
A separate 'Gaza executive board' will supervise the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), which is tasked with day-to-day affairs. Tony Blair welcomed his appointment, stating the NCAG was a "massive step forward" offering hope for a secure future for both Gazans and Israelis.
Gaza's Dire Humanitarian Crisis Continues
The board's immense reconstruction task comes against a backdrop of ongoing severe hardship in Gaza. Despite a nominal ceasefire announced in October, at least 463 Palestinians have been killed since then, according to reports. Israeli restrictions on aid continue, with widespread hunger and most of the population living in inadequate shelter.
The human cost of the destroyed infrastructure is stark: more than 71,000 Palestinians have been killed during the over two-year war, and this winter has seen at least eight deaths from hypothermia, including a 27-day-old baby. Most of the territory lies in ruins following Israeli military operations.
Critical issues for the US-drafted ceasefire plan, now in its second phase, remain unresolved. These include the disarmament of Hamas—to which the group has not yet committed—and the deployment of an international security force, whose composition is unknown. Israel has historically opposed a Turkish role in such a force.
It is currently unclear if all invited leaders, including Presidents Sisi and Erdoğan, have accepted their positions on the Board of Peace.
