Israel objects to US announcement of leaders to Gaza 'Board of Peace'

NAHARIYA (ISRAEL): Israel's goverment is objecting to the White House announcement of leaders who will play a role in overseeing next steps in Gaza.

The rare criticism from Israel of its close ally in Washington says the Gaza executive committee "was not coordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policy," without details. Saturday's statement also said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the foreign ministry to contact secretary of state Marco Rubio.




The White House on Friday announced some members of a so-called "Board of Peace" that is to supervise the temporary governance of Gaza, which has been under a fragile ceasefire since Oct. The names include US secretary of state Marco Rubio, President Donald 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.

Donald Trump is the chair of the board, according to a plan his White House unveiled in Oct. The only Israeli on the Board is a businessman, billionaire Yakir Gabay.

Argentina's Javier Milei and Canada's Mark Carney are set to become founding members as they have accepted the offer to participate. The Argentine leader thanked Trump for the invitation, saying it would be an honor to join. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was also invited to be a founding member of the council. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi was mulling whether to take part.

(Inputs from AP, AFP)