The Trump administration has established a new “Board of Peace” to oversee the next phase of the Gaza peace plan, but the initiative has already faced significant backlash from key global players. The European Union, Russia, Belarus, and Thailand have all been invited to join the board, but reactions have been mixed.
The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin received the invitation and is now “studying the details” and seeking clarity on “all the nuances.” Similarly, the Thai Foreign Ministry stated that it is reviewing the invitation. Meanwhile, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has accepted the invitation and is ready to participate.
However, France has made it clear that it does not plan to join the Board of Peace “at this stage,” citing concerns over the principles and structure of the United Nations. The French government official, speaking anonymously, said the issue is “raising questions, particularly with regard to respect for the principles and structure of the United Nations.”
Israeli officials have also expressed strong opposition to the board. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich dismissed it as a “raw deal for Israel” and called for its dissolution, suggesting that Israel should instead “impose military administration” and “complete the mission” in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while acknowledging differences with the US over the board’s composition, said it would not harm his relationship with President Trump.
The details of how the Board of Peace will function and its relationship with the UN remain unclear. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK is in talks with allies about the board and has indicated a willingness to “play our part” in the next phase of the Gaza peace plan.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains fragile, with the UN World Food Programme reporting that 77% of the population is facing crisis-level food insecurity. The UN has also reported that Israeli military and security forces have launched a large-scale counterterrorism operation in the West Bank city of Hebron, further adding to the tensions in the region.
As the Trump administration moves forward with its “Board of Peace,” the international community is closely watching to see how this initiative will impact the already complex and delicate situation in Gaza and the broader Middle East.