Israel has joined US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” initiative, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced during his Washington visit. The move is significant as the board is tasked with overseeing Gaza’s temporary governance and stabilization. Israel’s participation directly affects the future administration of Gaza and the broader Middle East peace process.
Netanyahu said on X that he signed Israel’s accession as a member of the “Board of Peace.” Visuals released after his meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio showed the two holding a signed document. Netanyahu later met Trump and discussed Iran and regional security issues. The board will hold its first meeting on February 19 in Washington to discuss Gaza’s reconstruction.
Read more: Israel joins Trump’s “Board of Peace” initiative
A UN Security Council resolution adopted in mid-November authorized the board and partner countries to establish an international stabilization force in Gaza. A fragile ceasefire began in October under a Trump-backed plan accepted by Israel and Hamas. The board was initially designed to supervise Gaza’s temporary governance. Trump later expanded its mandate to address global conflicts.
However, rights experts have criticized the structure of the board. Some argue that US oversight of a foreign territory resembles a colonial model. Israel’s inclusion has drawn further scrutiny because the board does not include Palestinian representation. Several countries have reacted cautiously to Trump’s late January invitation to join the initiative.
Read more: Netanyahu accepts Trump’s invite to join global ‘Board of Peace‘
While some US Middle Eastern allies have joined, many Western partners have stayed away. The Gaza ceasefire has faced repeated violations since October. Palestinian sources report at least 580 deaths, while Israel reports four soldiers killed. Gaza’s health ministry says over 72,000 people have died since the conflict escalated, while Israel maintains it is acting in self-defense after the October 2023 Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 people and saw over 250 hostages taken.