Israel has formally joined the U.S.-led “Board of Peace,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday during a visit to Washington. Netanyahu signed the formal accession documents after meetings with former President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, making Israel the latest country to participate in the initiative.
The Board of Peace was established following a United Nations Security Council resolution in November 2025 and aims to support stabilization and reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip under a fragile ceasefire that began in October 2025. The initiative is part of broader efforts to prevent renewed hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
The first leaders’ meeting of the Board is scheduled for February 19 in Washington and will focus primarily on Gaza’s reconstruction. Trump has indicated that the Board may expand its role to address other regional conflicts in the future, signaling an ambition to broaden the initiative beyond its initial mandate.
International reactions have been mixed. While Israel and some Middle Eastern partners have joined, several Western allies, including Poland and Italy, have declined to participate, citing concerns about the Board’s structure and its potential to bypass the United Nations.
Despite the ceasefire, sporadic clashes continue in the region. Casualty reports indicate that both Israeli and Palestinian civilians have been affected since October, and humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain severe, with access to basic services still limited.