Israel objects to U.S. announcement of executives to oversee Gaza
Israel says the White House did not coordinate the Gaza executive committee with Tel Aviv. The panel includes U.S. and regional figures but no Israeli official.
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By Torontoer Staff
Israel has formally objected to a White House announcement naming an international executive committee to oversee the next steps in Gaza, saying the selection was not coordinated with Tel Aviv. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the foreign ministry to contact U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to an Israeli statement.
The committee, unveiled by the White House, includes senior U.S. figures, regional officials and an Israeli businessman, but no Israeli government representative. The White House says the executive committee will oversee a new Palestinian committee to run Gaza’s day-to-day affairs, and will carry out the vision of a Trump-led "Board of Peace."
Who was named to the executive committee
- Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State
- Steve Witkoff, Trump envoy
- Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law
- Tony Blair, former British prime minister
- Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management
- Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank
- Robert Gabriel, Deputy U.S. National Security Adviser
- A diplomat from Qatar
- An Egyptian intelligence chief
- A Cabinet minister from the United Arab Emirates
- Turkey’s foreign minister
- Yakir Gabay, Israeli businessman and billionaire
Israel’s objections and domestic response
The Gaza executive committee was not coordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policy.
Israeli government statement
The Israeli statement did not provide further details. The inclusion of Yakir Gabay, a private Israeli businessman, did not satisfy officials who said no formal Israeli government representative was included. Within hours of the announcement, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir publicly supported the prime minister and urged preparations for renewed military action.
Regional and Palestinian reactions
The White House framed the executive committee as part of a broader plan that includes an international security force, disarmament of Hamas and reconstruction of Gaza. That plan is described by U.S. officials as the challenging second phase of a ceasefire that began on Oct. 10, after an initial phase focused on the return of hostages, the release of detainees, expanded humanitarian aid and a partial Israeli withdrawal.
It reflected Israeli specifications.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad
Palestinian Islamic Jihad criticised the executive committee’s composition and said it reflected Israeli specifications. Several regional mediators are represented on the panel, including officials from Qatar and Egypt, both of which have acted as ceasefire intermediaries.
What the committee is meant to do
According to the White House, the executive committee will oversee implementation of the plan, while a newly announced Palestinian committee will manage Gaza’s day-to-day affairs under that oversight. The agenda includes deploying an international security presence, overseeing disarmament of militant groups, and coordinating reconstruction and humanitarian access.
The White House said the executive committee would "carry out the vision of a Trump-led 'Board of Peace'," though the Board’s full membership has not been disclosed.
Practical and political implications
The absence of formal Israeli representation raises practical questions about coordination on security and reconstruction projects in Gaza. Israel’s security concerns, domestic politics and the position of influential ministers could complicate implementation, particularly if requests for military or intelligence cooperation are required.
For Palestinians in Gaza, the committee’s authority and methods will matter for how quickly aid and reconstruction reach civilians, and whether disarmament and governance arrangements are accepted on the ground. The announcement may provoke further debate among Palestinian factions, some of which have already voiced dissatisfaction.
What to watch next
- Whether Israeli officials and the U.S. can reach a formal coordination mechanism
- Responses from Palestinian leaders and militant groups to the proposed Palestinian committee
- Details about the proposed international security force and its mandate
- The composition and public launch of the Trump-led "Board of Peace"
Diplomatic exchanges in the coming days will determine if the committee moves forward as announced, or if adjustments are needed to accommodate Israeli and Palestinian concerns. The situation remains fragile, and coordination between capitals will shape how the second phase of the ceasefire unfolds.
For residents of Gaza, who have faced mass displacement and damage to infrastructure, the most immediate measure will be when and how humanitarian relief and reconstruction begin to reach communities in need.
GazaIsraelUnited Statesforeign policyMiddle East
