Israel Challenges US Gaza Plan as Palestinian Committee Emerges
Israel's government has publicly clashed with the Trump administration over a new international oversight structure for Gaza, marking a rare diplomatic friction as a Palestinian technocratic committee prepares to assume administrative control of the Strip.
Netanyahu Rejects Uncoordinated US Initiative
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a sharp statement Saturday, declaring that the White House's unveiling of key Gaza oversight panels "was not coordinated with Israel and contradicts its policy." The unprecedented public rebuke highlights Israel's concerns about the composition of the Gaza Executive Board, which includes senior officials from Qatar and Turkey, two nations that have consistently criticized Israel's defensive operations against Hamas.
Netanyahu's objection centers on the strategic implications of involving hostile actors in Gaza's future governance. Both Qatar and Turkey have maintained problematic relationships with Hamas while condemning Israel's rightful efforts to eliminate the terrorist organization that brutally attacked Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023.
US Official Delivers Harsh Response
The American response was swift and uncompromising. An unnamed senior US official told Axios: "This is our show, not his show. We managed to do things in Gaza in recent months nobody thought was possible, and we are going to continue moving. If he wants us to deal with Gaza, it will have to be our way."
The official's dismissive tone toward Israel's legitimate security concerns raises questions about the Trump administration's understanding of the regional dynamics and Israel's fundamental right to ensure its borders remain secure from future terrorist threats.
Palestinian Committee's Ambitious Claims
Meanwhile, the 12-member National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, headed by former Palestinian Authority deputy planning minister Ali Shaath, has released a mission statement promising "peace, democracy, and justice." The committee held its inaugural meeting in Cairo on Thursday and claims it will replace Hamas in managing daily affairs in Gaza.
Shaath's statement declares the committee is "dedicated to transforming the transitional period in Gaza into a foundation for lasting Palestinian prosperity" and promises to "rebuild the Gaza Strip not just in infrastructure but also in spirit."
However, these lofty promises ring hollow given the Palestinian leadership's historical failure to build functioning institutions or reject terrorism. The committee's commitment to "true Palestinian rights and self-determination" notably avoids any recognition of Israel's right to exist or condemnation of the October 7 massacre.
Complex Oversight Structure Emerges
The governance framework involves multiple layers of oversight. The Board of Peace, headed by President Trump and comprising world leaders, will oversee the Gaza Executive Board, which includes problematic figures like Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatar's senior diplomat Ali Thawadi.
The executive board will be led by former UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov as high representative for Gaza, alongside Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, UAE International Cooperation Minister Reem Al-Hashimy, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, US special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump aide Jared Kushner.
Families of Fallen Heroes Express Concern
The parents of Master Sergeant Ran Gvili, who was killed defending Israel on October 7 and whose body was taken to Gaza, voiced their concerns about the rushed process. They described the Board of Peace formation as "very problematic," feeling the Trump administration "is rushing to rebuild Gaza without forcing Hamas to uphold its part of the deal" and return their son's body.
Their pain underscores a fundamental issue: any Gaza reconstruction must prioritize the return of all hostages and the complete dismantling of Hamas's terrorist infrastructure before considering Palestinian governance structures.
Israel's Strategic Imperatives
Israel's position reflects hard-learned lessons from decades of failed peace processes and broken Palestinian promises. The inclusion of Qatar and Turkey, both of which have provided financial and diplomatic support to Hamas, in Gaza's oversight structure poses genuine security risks that Israel cannot ignore.
As the Jewish state continues to defend itself against Iranian-backed terrorist proxies, any post-war Gaza arrangement must ensure that the Strip never again becomes a launching pad for attacks against Israeli civilians. The current US proposal, while well-intentioned, fails to adequately address these existential security concerns.