Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that he has agreed to join US President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” according to a statement issued by his office. The announcement came amid Israeli objections to the composition of the board’s Gaza executive body, which Israel said does not reflect its interests, Associated Press reported.
The death toll from the Israeli ongoing aggression has risen to 71,551 Palestinians, with 171,372 reported wounded, since the beginning of the offensive on October 7, 2023, according to medical sources quoted by WAFA news agency.
Since the ceasefire came into effect on October 11, the number of fatalities has increased to 466, with 1,294 injuries, while 713 bodies have been recovered from beneath the rubble.
Earlier, at least six additional countries said on Sunday, January 18, that they had received invitations from the United States to join the Trump-led board, a new grouping of global leaders intended to oversee next steps in Gaza while signalling broader ambitions in international affairs.
According to a US official familiar with the unpublished charter, permanent membership on the board requires a contribution of $1 billion, while three-year appointments do not carry any financial obligation. The funds raised are expected to be used for Gaza’s reconstruction.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has accepted the invitation, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told state radio. Orbán is considered one of Trump’s strongest allies in Europe.
Jordan, Greece, Cyprus and Pakistan also confirmed receiving invitations, while Canada, Türkiye, Egypt, Paraguay, Argentina and Albania have already acknowledged being invited. The total number of countries approached remains unclear.
In letters sent on Friday, January 16, Trump described the initiative as a plan to “embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict” and invited leaders to serve as founding members.
The board is also expected to include several of Trump’s close associates, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and senior officials from Middle Eastern governments.
As Palestinians continue to endure dire conditions in displacement camps across Gaza, Trump is seeking to formally launch the Board of Peace on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. However, the initiative—initially envisioned to oversee the Gaza ceasefire—has raised questions over its mandate and membership.
Meanwhile, with world leaders gathered in Switzerland, the ceasefire remains a key topic amid ongoing violence and humanitarian concerns. On Tuesday, January 20, a Palestinian infant reportedly died of hypothermia, Israeli forces bulldozed the UNRWA headquarters in east Jerusalem, and tear gas was fired at a Palestinian trade school. The UN has warned that disease risks in Gaza have reached record levels.
