NAHARIYA, Israel (AP) — Israel's government has expressed concerns regarding the White House announcement about the establishment of a new executive committee tasked with overseeing key developments in Gaza as the ceasefire transitions into its challenging second phase. This dissent from Israel is a rare occurrence, especially towards its close ally, the United States.
The statement issued on Saturday asserted that the Gaza executive committee had not been coordinated with Israel, which it claims runs contrary to Israeli policy, although specifics were not disclosed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the foreign ministry to engage with Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding these issues.
The committee, announced by the White House on Friday, does not include any Israeli officials; however, it features Israeli businessman and billionaire Yakir Gabay. Other members listed so far comprise significant figures such as U.S. President Donald Trump’s close advisors, a former British prime minister, a U.S. general, as well as representatives from multiple Middle Eastern nations.
The White House detailed that the executive committee would implement the vision of a Trump-led "Board of Peace,” whose members are yet to be revealed. They also formed a new Palestinian committee to manage the daily operations in Gaza, with oversight from the executive committee. This Palestinian committee convened for the first time on Thursday in Cairo.
Members of the executive committee include notable individuals such as Rubio, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Trump’s Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel. The group also comprises diplomats from Qatar, intelligence leaders from Egypt, and Turkey's foreign minister, all of whom have been mediators during the ceasefire negotiations, along with a Cabinet minister from the United Arab Emirates.
While Turkey's relationship with Israel is strained, it maintains good relations with Hamas and could play a pivotal role in convincing the group to yield power and disarm. Hamas has indicated it would dissolve its government in Gaza once the new Palestinian committee assumes office; however, there are no signs it would dismantle its military wing or security forces.
Netanyahu's office has not responded to inquiries regarding its objections to the composition of the executive committee. Shortly after the announcement, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's far-right National Security Minister, endorsed Netanyahu's concerns and urged him to prepare the military for a possible return to conflict. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, another right-wing ally of Netanyahu, remarked on social media that "the countries that kept Hamas alive cannot be the ones that replace it."
In addition, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the second-largest militant faction in Gaza after Hamas, expressed its dissatisfaction with the newly formed Gaza executive committee, asserting that its composition reflects Israeli "specifications." On Wednesday, the Trump administration had noted that the U.S.-drafted ceasefire plan for Gaza was transitioning into its second phase, which encompasses the formation of this new Palestinian committee, the deployment of an international security force, Hamas disarmament, and the reconstruction of the war-torn territory.
The current conflict, the most deadly in the history of Israel and Hamas, commenced with a Hamas-led offensive on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties, predominantly among civilians, while over 250 hostages were taken. In response, Israel's offensive has led to the deaths of over 71,400 Palestinians, including over 460 since the ceasefire's initiation, according to data from Gaza's Health Ministry.
The Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, is considered to maintain accurate casualty records that are generally reliable according to U.N. agencies and independent experts. The last remaining hostage in Gaza, Ran Gvili, was tragically killed during the attack that ignited the ongoing war. His parents, Talik and Itzik Gvili, expressed profound concerns about efforts to rehabilitate Gaza while Hamas has not honored its obligations to return all hostages.
