What's happened
The White House announced a new Board of Peace to oversee Gaza's transition, chaired by Donald Trump, with international members including Turkey and Qatar. Israel opposes some aspects of the plan, especially the inclusion of Turkish officials. The move aims to facilitate Gaza's governance and reconstruction, despite regional tensions.
What's behind the headline?
The formation of the Board of Peace signals a significant US attempt to reshape Gaza's governance, aiming for a more effective and international-led peace process. The inclusion of Turkey and Qatar, both critical of Israel's policies, indicates a shift towards broader regional involvement that may complicate Israeli-US relations. Netanyahu's opposition to Turkish participation underscores Israel's discomfort with regional actors gaining influence in Gaza's future. The plan's focus on creating a technocratic administration and international security force suggests a move towards a more managed transition, but regional tensions and disagreements over the board's makeup could hinder implementation. The US's broader goal appears to be positioning itself as a central peace broker, potentially expanding this model to other conflict zones, which could reshape international peace efforts. However, the plan's success depends on regional cooperation and Israel's acceptance, which remains uncertain. The upcoming first meeting at Davos will be a critical test of the plan's viability and international support.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports that Palestinian Islamic Jihad is willing to cooperate with the Gaza administration despite reservations about the peace council, emphasizing concerns over aid obstruction and Israeli restrictions. Sky News highlights Israel's opposition to the inclusion of Turkish officials on the executive board, with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar planning to raise objections with US counterparts. Reuters notes that Israel's government has not specified which aspects of the board's composition conflict with Israeli policy, but confirms that Israel opposes Turkish involvement. All sources agree that the US aims to establish a transitional governance structure in Gaza, with broad international participation, including Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt, and that regional tensions are influencing the diplomatic negotiations.
How we got here
Recent conflicts in Gaza, including a ceasefire in October 2025 following a major Israeli-Hamas escalation, have prompted international efforts to stabilize the region. The US-led initiative seeks to establish a transitional governance structure, with the aim of ending ongoing violence and rebuilding Gaza. Israel's opposition reflects concerns over the composition of the new governance bodies and regional influence.
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