Israel Responds to Trump's Gaza 'Board of Peace' Selections

Sun Jan 18 2026 22:50:53 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu expresses dissatisfaction with the inclusion of foreign officials in the newly formed Gaza Board of Peace without Israel's coordination, deeming it a diplomatic failure.

Israeli leadership convened to discuss the implications of Donald Trump's recently announced Gaza 'Board of Peace', comprising members such as the Turkish foreign minister, with no Israeli or Palestinian characteristics. The announcement has sparked backlash in Israel, highlighting concerns over bypassed diplomatic channels and inadequate representation. Amid ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza, the situation continues to evolve.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened a meeting with his top advisers to discuss Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace' for Gaza, after it revealed the US did not include Israel in talks to do with its creation.

Netanyahu's office stated it was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy, following Saturday's announcement of the committee's Gaza Executive Board, which includes the Turkish foreign minister, a Qatari official, former UK PM Tony Blair, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

The Board of Peace, which is part of Trump's 20-point plan to end the Israel-Hamas war, is expected to temporarily oversee the running of Gaza and manage its reconstruction.

Its exact structure remains unclear and members are still being invited.

Two separate senior bodies have been officially unveiled, both of which sit under the main Board of Peace.

One is a founding Executive Board, focused on investment and diplomacy. The other is the Gaza Executive Board, responsible for overseeing ground-level operations through the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).

So far, the only Israeli member on the Gaza Executive Board is Yakir Gabay, a businessman born in Israel and now based in Cyprus. Notably, there are no Palestinians on either senior board.

Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir commented on social media that the Gaza Strip does not need an administrative committee but rather the removal of Hamas terrorists.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Yair Lapid called the announcement a diplomatic failure for Israel.

Officials from Qatar and Turkey, recognized critics of Israel's actions in Gaza, are confirmed members of the advisory panel.

The overarching Board of Peace will be made up of world leaders, with Trump as its chairman. While members have not yet been publicly announced, potential invitations have been sent to leaders from the UK, Hungary, Argentina, Jordan, Turkey, India, and Egypt.

Government reactions to these invitations have been cautious, with only Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban confirming acceptance.

On financial matters, it was reported that Trump is seeking contributions of $1 billion from countries wishing to join the panel.

However, a US official has clarified that membership can be extended for three years without an initial fee.

As humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain dire, with 80% of buildings reportedly damaged or destroyed, the UN continues to warn that the crisis is far from over. Aid delivery has often been seen as insufficient against the harsh winter conditions faced by survivors.