Trump Invites Russia, EU & Thailand to Join Expanding Gaza Peace Board/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Trump’s Gaza Peace Board expands as Russia, EU, and Thailand receive invitations. Israel’s government criticizes the initiative, calling it harmful to national interests. Global leaders weigh involvement as Gaza enters second phase of post-war planning.
Trump’s Gaza Peace Board Expansion: Quick Looks
- Russia, Thailand, and the European Commission invited to Trump’s Board of Peace.
- Kremlin, Thai Foreign Ministry confirm invitations; responses pending.
- EU says it seeks to contribute to Gaza peace efforts.
- Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich calls board “bad for Israel.”
- Trump’s board seen as alternative to U.N. Security Council.
- $1 billion contribution ensures permanent board membership; others serve 3-year terms.
- U.K. signals willingness to support Gaza peace plan implementation.
- Egypt supports new Palestinian-led administrative body in Gaza.
- UN warns Gaza remains fragile despite improved food access.
- Over 460 killed since ceasefire began; teen shot Monday in Rafah.
Deep Look
Trump Invites Russia, EU, and Thailand to Join Expanding Gaza Peace Board
WASHINGTON — The list of invitees to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza continues to grow, with Russia, Thailand, and the European Commission among the latest additions. As the initiative moves toward global implementation, it is increasingly seen as both a bold diplomatic push and a controversial alternative to existing international frameworks like the U.N. Security Council.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has received an invitation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Monday. Peskov said the Kremlin is “studying the details” and is in contact with the U.S. to clarify the board’s structure and mandate. Thailand’s Foreign Ministry also confirmed receiving an invitation and is reviewing it internally.
In Brussels, European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said President Ursula von der Leyen has been invited and will consult with other EU leaders. While no official acceptance has been issued, Gill emphasized the Commission’s intent to contribute to a “comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict.”
The board is expected to oversee implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan, including:
- Deployment of an international peacekeeping force,
- Disarmament of Hamas,
- Reconstruction of war-torn Gaza infrastructure,
- Temporary governance by a Palestinian-led technocratic committee.
Israel’s Strong Opposition
Despite broad international interest, the initiative faces stiff resistance from Israel. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the board “a bad deal for Israel” and demanded its cancellation.
“Gaza is ours. Its future impacts us more than anyone,” Smotrich said at an event inaugurating a new settlement in the occupied West Bank. He proposed reinstating a military administration in Gaza and warned that if Hamas does not disarm swiftly, Israel should consider a renewed offensive.
On Saturday, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the sentiment, stating that the executive committee for the board was formed without Israeli coordination and was inconsistent with Israeli policy.
Funding, Membership, and Global Response
According to a U.S. official familiar with the board’s draft charter, any nation can join the board on a three-year term with no required contribution. However, a $1 billion payment secures a permanent seat, with funds directed toward rebuilding Gaza. This membership model has drawn both interest and criticism as nations consider their level of involvement.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the U.K. has indicated “willingness to play our part” and is consulting with allies. While it’s unclear whether the U.K. has received a formal invitation, Starmer stressed the importance of implementing the Gaza plan’s next phase.
Palestinian Governance and Egypt’s Role
In a significant development on the ground, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Bader Abdelatty met Monday with Ali Shaath, recently named Chief Commissioner of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. The technocratic body is expected to run day-to-day governance in Gaza until the Palestinian Authority assumes formal control.
Egypt expressed its “complete support” for the interim committee and reiterated the importance of maintaining the territorial unity of the West Bank and Gaza.
Humanitarian Update: Fragile Gains Amid Crisis
While political negotiations move forward, the humanitarian situation remains dire. The U.N. World Food Program (WFP) announced Monday that it has significantly expanded its operations, reaching over one million people in Gaza each month. Services now include hot meals, food parcels, bread bundles, and school snacks.
Despite progress, the WFP warned that 77% of the population remains in crisis-level food insecurity, with more than 100,000 facing catastrophic hunger. Access to nutritious foods like fruits, dairy, and vegetables remains extremely limited, with most families unable to afford basic necessities.
Aid agencies have helped prevent widespread malnutrition, particularly among pregnant women and children under five, but emphasized that conditions remain “extremely fragile.”
Deadly Incidents Persist Despite Ceasefire
Tragic violence continues under the surface of the ceasefire. On Monday, hospital officials in southern Gaza reported that Israeli forces shot and killed 17-year-old Hussein Tawfiq Abu Sabalah in the Muwasi area near Rafah. The circumstances of the shooting remain unclear, including whether the teen approached an Israeli-controlled zone.
Since the ceasefire began on October 10, more than 460 Palestinians have reportedly been killed by Israeli fire, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The Ministry, operated by the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are widely considered reliable by the United Nations and independent monitors.
Global Announcement Expected at Davos
The World Economic Forum in Davos is expected to serve as the stage for the formal unveiling of Board of Peace membership in the coming days. Trump’s team is set to confirm participating nations and outline next steps, including enforcement mechanisms, funding allocations, and diplomatic objectives.
As anticipation builds and geopolitical lines are drawn, the Board of Peace for Gaza may represent a pivotal moment in shaping post-conflict governance — and perhaps the future of global conflict resolution itself.
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