International Panel Appointed for Post-War Gaza Governance Sparks Israeli Objections
A newly announced international panel tasked with overseeing a transitional government in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip has drawn sharp criticism from Israel. The United States, under the Trump administration, revealed the composition of what it termed a “Board of Peace” and a subordinate “Gaza executive board,” intended to guide the territory’s recovery and governance following a US-brokered ceasefire agreement that took effect in October.
The appointments have been met with immediate pushback from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which stated that the lineup “runs contrary to its policy” and was not coordinated with Israel.
The U.S. President, Donald Trump, unveiled the names of individuals slated to join the seven-member “founding executive board” on Friday. This primary body is set to oversee the transitional government in the Palestinian territory. Notable figures appointed to this board include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and World Bank President Ajay Banga. President Trump himself is designated to chair this high-level founding board.
Dual-Tiered Governance Structure for Gaza
Beyond the “Board of Peace,” a separate “Gaza executive board” has also been established. According to a statement issued by the White House, this board’s mandate is to “help support effective governance and the delivery of best-in-class services that advance peace, stability, and prosperity for the people of Gaza.”
The composition of the Gaza executive board includes several members from the founding board, such as Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Tony Blair. It will also feature international representation, including Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi, alongside other officials. The inclusion of representatives from Turkey and Qatar is particularly noteworthy, given both nations’ critical stances on Israel’s military operations in Gaza subsequent to the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.
Israel Expresses Reservations
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office issued a statement on Saturday, indicating that he had directed Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to engage with Secretary Rubio to convey Israel’s reservations. “The announcement regarding the composition of the Gaza Executive Board, which is subordinate to the Board of Peace, was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy,” the statement articulated, though it did not elaborate on the specific objections held by the Prime Minister.
Other Reactions to the Appointments
The international response to the panel’s makeup has not been monolithic. The Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, which is designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, also voiced its disapproval. The group argued that the board’s composition “came in accordance with Israeli criteria and to serve the interests of the occupation, in a clear indicator of preexisting bad intentions over the implementation of the terms of the [ceasefire] agreement.”
This development follows earlier announcements this week by the Trump administration regarding the commencement of the second phase of the U.S. President’s peace plan for Gaza. The initial phase of this plan involved a ceasefire that came into effect on October 10. However, since its implementation, both sides have lodged accusations of violations against each other. Israel has maintained restrictions on the flow of aid into the Gaza Strip and has continued its military operations. Concurrently, Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by Germany, the EU, the U.S., and several Arab states, has reportedly refused to disarm, a condition that Israel considers non-negotiable.
