Proposed “Board of Peace” draws invitations beyond U.S. allies
The Trump administration’s proposed “Board of Peace” has sent invitations to Israel and other world leaders as part of plans to supervise the next phase of the Gaza peace effort, an Israeli official said Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the matter is being discussed behind the scenes. The official said it was not known whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted the offer.
The AP reported that Russia, Belarus, Slovenia, Thailand and the European Union’s executive arm were among those invited, along with other leaders whose names were not specified in the official’s remarks. It was unclear how many leaders have been asked to join, and the broad range of invitations—including to countries that don’t get along—has raised questions about the board’s mandate and decision-making processes.
France declines for now, citing UN principles
France said it does not plan to join the Board of Peace “at this stage,” despite receiving an invitation. A French official close to President Emmanuel Macron said the issue is raising questions, particularly with regard to respect for the principles and structure of the United Nations.
Trump, discussing the French position with reporters in Florida, said: “Well, nobody wants him because he’s going to be out of office very soon.” Trump added, “I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes and he’ll join,” and then said, “But he doesn’t have to join.”
Morocco and other leaders sign on; Kremlin weighs details
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI accepted a spot Monday, becoming the first Arab leader cited by the AP as joining the initiative. The AP reported that Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Hungary and Argentina also signed on.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin received an invitation and that the Kremlin is “studying the details,” seeking clarity of “all the nuances” in contacts with the U.S. Trump later confirmed that Putin had been invited.
The Belarus Foreign Ministry said President Alexander Lukashenko is ready to take part, and Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said it was invited and reviewing the details. European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said Ursula von der Leyen would speak to other EU leaders about Gaza and that the commission wants “to contribute to a comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict.”
Israel’s internal criticism highlights uncertainty on role
On Israel’s side, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich dismissed the Board of Peace as a “raw deal” and called for its dissolution. Smotrich said, “It is time to explain to the president that his plan is bad for the State of Israel and to cancel it.” He added, “Gaza is ours, its future will affect our future more than anyone else’s. We will take responsibility for what happens there, impose military administration, and complete the mission.”
Smotrich also suggested that Israel renew a full-scale offensive on the territory to destroy Hamas if it does not abide by a “short ultimatum for real disarmament and exile.” Netanyahu, meanwhile, said that while there are differences with the U.S. about the composition of an advisory committee accompanying the next phase in Gaza, it would not harm his relationship with Trump. Netanyahu said, “There will not be Turkish soldiers and Qatari soldiers in the (Gaza) Strip.”
Netanyahu’s office earlier said the formation of an executive board that would work to carry out the vision of the Board of Peace was not coordinated with the Israeli government and was “contrary to its policy,” according to the AP report. It also said Turkey—a key regional rival—is among those invited to join the committee.
How the board would work, and expected member list
The U.S. is expected to announce its official list of members in the coming days, likely during the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, the AP reported. The board members would oversee an executive committee responsible for implementing a “tough second phase” of the Gaza peace plan that includes deployment of an international security force, disarmament of Hamas and reconstruction of the war-devastated territory.
The AP said the charter has not been made public, but cited a U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity who said a $1 billion contribution would secure permanent membership, with money going to rebuild Gaza. The official also said a three-year appointment has no contribution requirement.
The AP referenced a World Bank report on Gaza and the West Bank Interim Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (IRDNA) released last year, saying it estimated it would take $53 billion to rebuild the Gaza Strip.
Egypt backs a Palestinian technocrats committee for day-to-day governance
Separate from the Board of Peace meetings, Egypt’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Bader Abdelatty, met with Ali Shaath, the Palestinian engineer and former official described by the AP as named last week as chief commissioner of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
According to the Egyptian ministry’s statement cited by the AP, Abdelatty expressed Egypt’s “complete support” of the committee and affirmed its role in running Gaza’s daily affairs until the Palestinian Authority takes over the territory.
UN food program says hunger progress comes with fragile conditions
In Gaza’s humanitarian situation, the U.N. World Food Programme said Monday that it has “significantly expanded” its operations across Gaza 100 days into the ceasefire. The AP reported that WFP said it has been reaching more than a million people each month with hot meals and food parcels, while warning that the situation remains “extremely fragile.”
WFP said malnutrition has been prevented for 200,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under 5. The AP also said the most recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis—assessing the situation in October and November—indicated that 77% of the population was facing crisis-level food insecurity.
Deadly incidents and security operations continue amid ceasefire
In the West Bank, Israeli military and security forces launched what they called a large-scale counterterrorism operation in Hebron. The AP reported that the Israeli military said the operation is expected to continue for several days, with armored vehicles and soldiers patrolling city streets and putting up barriers where operations were being conducted.
Hebron Mayor Khaled Dudin said Israeli forces targeted an area with a population of 80,000 because it obstructs construction of additional Israeli settlements.
In southern Gaza, the AP reported that Israeli forces killed three Palestinians, including a teenager, according to hospital authorities. Nasser hospital said 17-year-old Hussein Tawfiq Abu Sabalah was shot and killed in the Muwasi area of Rafah, and said it was not immediately clear whether two men who were shot dead had crossed into or came close to Israeli-controlled areas east of Khan Younis.
The Gaza Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-led government, said more than 460 people were killed by Israeli fire and their bodies were brought to hospitals since the ceasefire went into effect just over three months ago. The ministry maintains detailed casualty records that the AP said are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts.