Netanyahu accepts Trump's invitation to join Gaza peace board

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally accepted an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to participate in a proposed international "Board of Peace" aimed at addressing the Gaza genocide. Netanyahu's office announced on Wednesday that he would join the top body of the initiative, which seeks to involve several world leaders.

A Move Amid Legal and Domestic Challenges

The decision to participate arrives while Netanyahu faces significant legal pressures. In 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Israeli leader over alleged war crimes committed during military operations in Gaza. Furthermore, Netanyahu is concurrently defending himself in a long-running domestic corruption trial in Tel Aviv, facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, with a court appearance scheduled shortly after the announcement.

Context of the US-Led Initiative

The Board of Peace is described as a Trump administration initiative intended to resolve protracted global conflicts, starting with the situation in Gaza. The invitation to Netanyahu, and his acceptance, signals a close alignment between the U.S. and Israeli governments on the framework for post-conflict planning. However, the initiative's structure, other participants, and its relationship with existing international bodies remain unclear.

Potential Implications and Regional Reception

Netanyahu's role on the board could be viewed as an attempt to solidify Israel's influence over plans for Gaza's future while countering the legitimacy of the ICC's charges on an international stage. The move is likely to be met with skepticism or outright rejection by Palestinian authorities and many nations critical of Israeli policies. For observers in Türkiye, a nation deeply critical of Israeli actions in Gaza, this development underscores the challenges of achieving a peace process seen as impartial and inclusive of Palestinian rights and aspirations.