Israel has formally joined U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly established “Board of Peace,” marking a significant step in shaping post-war governance and reconstruction efforts in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the move during his visit to Washington, where he met with Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Visuals released following Netanyahu’s meeting with Rubio showed the Israeli leader holding a signed document confirming Israel’s accession to the board. Posting on X, Netanyahu said he had “signed Israel’s accession as a member of the ‘Board of Peace.’”
The Board of Peace was authorized by a U.N. Security Council resolution adopted in mid-November, empowering it and participating countries to establish an international stabilization force in Gaza. The resolution followed a fragile ceasefire that began in October under a U.S. backed framework endorsed by Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Under Trump’s Gaza plan, the board is tasked with overseeing the territory’s temporary governance and supporting reconstruction efforts. Trump later expanded the initiative’s scope, announcing that the board, which he chairs, would also address broader global conflicts.
Israel’s decision to join carries strategic and political weight. As a direct party to the Gaza conflict, Israel’s membership positions it at the center of decisions concerning security arrangements, governance structures and reconstruction priorities in the enclave. The move also underscores the close coordination between Washington and Jerusalem on post-conflict planning.
However, the board’s structure has drawn criticism. Rights experts argue that a U.S. led body supervising the affairs of a foreign territory risks resembling a colonial-style administration. Israel’s presence coupled with the absence of Palestinian representation is likely to intensify scrutiny and diplomatic debate.
Several countries have responded cautiously to Trump’s late January invitation to join the initiative, with some analysts warning that the board’s mandate could overlap with or potentially undermine existing United Nations mechanisms.
The board is scheduled to hold its first meeting in Washington on February 19, where members will discuss Gaza’s reconstruction and the next steps in implementing the stabilization framework.
