Israel joins Trump-led ‘Board of Peace’ amid Gaza reconstruction plans

WEB DESK: Israel has officially joined US President Donald Trump’s newly formed “Board of Peace,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Wednesday during a visit to Washington, where he met Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Footage released after the meeting showed Netanyahu and Rubio holding a document confirming Israel’s membership, with Netanyahu later posting on X that he had “signed Israel’s accession as a member of the ‘Board of Peace.’” He also held discussions with Trump on Iran.

The board was authorised by a UN Security Council resolution in November to oversee an international stabilisation force in Gaza, following a ceasefire that began in October under a Trump-mediated plan accepted by both Israel and Hamas. Initially created to supervise temporary governance in Gaza, Trump later said the board would be expanded to address broader global conflicts. Its first meeting is scheduled for February 19 in Washington, focusing on Gaza’s reconstruction.

The initiative has drawn criticism from rights experts, who argue that a US-led board supervising Gaza resembles a colonial-style arrangement, particularly as Palestinians are not included. Israel’s participation is expected to increase scrutiny, while reactions from the international community remain mixed, with some Middle Eastern allies joining but several traditional Western partners opting out.

The Gaza ceasefire has been repeatedly violated, leaving hundreds dead. Future challenges for the board include Hamas disarmament, further Israeli withdrawal, and deployment of international peacekeepers, amid ongoing humanitarian crises and accusations from multiple observers that Israel’s actions in Gaza may constitute genocide.