Chicago – January 18, 2026
Israel’s government has sharply criticized the White House’s announcement of leaders tasked with overseeing Gaza’s next steps amid a fragile ceasefire’s second phase. The rare rebuke from Jerusalem stated the executive committee “was not coordinated with Israel and contradicts its policy,” prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to direct the foreign ministry to contact U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The committee, unveiled Friday, excludes Israeli officials but includes an Israeli businessman alongside two top Donald Trump advisors, a former prime minister, an American, and Middle Eastern figures. It aims to implement a “Board of Peace” vision led by Trump, while supervising a new Palestinian committee for Gaza’s daily operations, Hamas disarmament, an international security force, and reconstruction.
Far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich echoed objections, urging military readiness and decrying nations that “kept Hamas alive.” Gaza’s Palestinian Islamic Jihad also rejected the lineup as reflecting Israeli influence. The ceasefire, effective since October 10, 2025, initially focused on hostage exchanges and aid surges.
