In a surprising turn of events regarding the future of the Middle East, a rift appears to be forming between close allies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has publicly objected to a major announcement from the White House, claiming they were completely caught off guard. At the center of the controversy is the newly revealed list of global leaders tasked with overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction, a move Israel says happened without any prior coordination.
The ‘Board of Peace’: Who’s on the List?
The friction began immediately after the Trump Administration unveiled the composition of an executive committee designed to implement the “Board of Peace.” This body is intended to guide the critical next steps in Gaza, ranging from governance to rebuilding infrastructure. However, Jerusalem insists they were not consulted on who would be pulling the strings.
The committee is stacked with heavy hitters from the political and financial worlds. According to the White House release, the team includes:
- U.S. Secretary of State: Marco Rubio
- Trump Envoy: Steve Witkoff
- Former Senior Advisor: Jared Kushner
- Former British PM: Tony Blair
- World Bank President: Ajay Banga
- Apollo Global Management CEO: Marc Rowan
- Deputy National Security Adviser: Robert Gabriel
Beyond these individual figures, the committee also incorporates representatives from Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. It is the inclusion of some of these regional powers that has sparked immediate backlash within Israel’s coalition government.
Far-Right Ministers Demand Action
While Netanyahu’s office voiced concerns over the lack of coordination, his far-right coalition partners were much more vocal and aggressive in their opposition. The specific inclusion of countries like Qatar and Turkey has struck a nerve.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich took to social media to blast the decision, stating bluntly that “the countries that kept Hamas alive cannot be the ones that replace it.” His sentiment reflects a deep distrust regarding the involvement of nations that have historically hosted or funded Hamas leadership.
Meanwhile, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir went a step further, urging Netanyahu to stop relying on these diplomatic maneuvers and instead prepare the military to return to war. Interestingly, opposition to the committee isn’t limited to Israel; the Palestinian Islamic Jihad also expressed dissatisfaction, claiming the committee’s makeup was actually tailored to Israeli “specifications,” highlighting just how polarized the reception has been on all sides.
A Fragile Ceasefire Entering Phase Two
This diplomatic spat comes at a incredibly delicate moment. The Gaza ceasefire, which officially took effect on January 10, has just entered its second phase. This stage is complex and involves establishing a new Palestinian committee to manage day-to-day affairs, deploying an international security force, and the sensitive task of disarming Hamas.
Despite the high-level disagreements between the U.S. and Israel, groundwork is proceeding. The new Palestinian committee held its inaugural meeting in Cairo on Thursday, attempting to set the stage for governance under the oversight of this contested executive committee. As the “Board of Peace” prepares to start its work, all eyes are on whether the Trump Administration will adjust its approach to appease Netanyahu, or if the U.S. will push forward unilaterally.
Last Updated: 18 January 2026
