Displaced Palestinians gather outside a tent at a temporary camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip. AP
At least eight countries have confirmed they were invited, with Hungary and Vietnam accepting. Other invitees include India, Australia, Jordan, Greece, Cyprus, Pakistan, Canada, Turkey, Egypt, Paraguay, Argentina and Albania. The United States is expected to announce the full membership list in the coming days, likely during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin received an invitation and that the Kremlin is “studying the details” and would seek clarity on “all the nuances.” The Thai Foreign Ministry said it was reviewing the invitation, while European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill confirmed President Ursula von der Leyen received an invitation and would consult other EU leaders, without indicating whether it had been accepted.
A $1 billion contribution secures permanent membership on the board; a three-year appointment carries no payment requirement, according to a US official familiar with the charter, which has not been made public. The funds would be used to rebuild Gaza.
Board members will oversee the next steps in Gaza as the ceasefire in Israel’s genocidal war on the Strip remains marred by Israeli violations.
Since taking effect on 10 October, Israel has killed over 450 Palestinians and continues to restrict aid as the truce enters a challenging second phase. The plan includes a Palestinian technocratic committee in Gaza, the deployment of an international security force, and reconstruction of the war-battered territory, while Israeli demands for Hamas’ disarmament remain a key sticking point.
In letters sent Friday inviting world leaders to be “founding members,” Trump said the board would “embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict.” The initiative appears to take a swipe at international institutions such as the United Nations, saying the board should have “the courage to depart from approaches and institutions that have too often failed.”
The body could emerge as a rival to the UN Security Council, the United Nations’ most powerful organ. The 15-member council has been blocked several times by US vetoes from acting to end Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, while the UN’s influence has been weakened by major funding cuts from the Trump administration and other donors. Trump’s letters noted the Security Council had endorsed the US 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan, which includes the board’s creation.
The White House last week announced an executive committee to carry out the board’s vision. Members include US Secretary of State Rubio, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, World Bank President Ajay Banga, Trump’s deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel, Israeli billionaire Yakir Gabay, and representatives of ceasefire monitors Qatar, Egypt and Turkey.
Since it began its war on Gaza in October 2023, Israel has killed over 71,550 Palestinians and injured more than 171,365 others, mostly women and children.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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