Israel Objects to US-Proposed 'Gaza Executive Board'

Israel objected on Saturday to the US announcement of members of a so-called "Board of Peace" executive board appointed to lead post-war Gaza, according to a US-brokered ceasefire agreement that came into force in October. US President Donald Trump on Friday announced the names of some of the people who are going to sit on the body that will oversee the transitional government in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. Among those on the seven-member "founding executive board" are US 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. Trump himself will chair the "founding executive board." Turkish, Qatari officials to sit on 'Gaza executive board' In addition, there will be a "Gaza executive board" that, according to a statement from the White House,"will help support effective governance and the delivery of best-in-class services that advance peace, stability, and prosperity for the people of Gaza." Witkoff, Kushner and Blair will also sit on the Gaza executive board, along with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi and other officials. Both Turkey and Qatar have been critical of Israel's military operations in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. What did Israel say about the US appointments? The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has instructed Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to discuss the Israeli reservations with Rubio. "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 read, without going into specifics about stating the prime minister's exact objections. The Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, which is considered a terrorist group by some countries, also criticized the makeup of the board, arguing it "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." Earlier this week, the Trump administration announced the start of the second phase of the US president's Gaza peace plan. The first phase called for a ceasefire that came into effect on October 10. Since then, both sides have accused the other of violating the deal. Israel has continued to restrict aid into the Gaza Strip and conduct attacks. And Hamas — which is designated as a terrorist organization by Germany, the EU, the US and some Arab states — has so far refused to disarm, a non-negotiable demand from Israel. rmt/sms (AFP, AP, Reuters)