Trump's Board of Peace faces questions as invited leaders weigh participation

The U.S. has invited the European Commission, Russia, Belarus and Thailand to join a new Board of Peace to oversee the next phase of its Gaza plan; France is holding off and some Israeli officials have objected, while key details about membership, funding and authority remain unclear.

The United States has invited a range of governments and institutions to join a new Board of Peace to supervise the next phase of its Gaza peace plan. Invitations were reported to the European Commission, Russia, Belarus and Thailand, while France said it would not join "at this stage." The board is described as overseeing an executive committee that would handle an international security force, disarmament and reconstruction in Gaza. Some Israeli officials have expressed opposition, and Russian officials said they were studying the invitation. Key details: - Invitations were reported to the European Commission, Russia, Belarus and Thailand. - A French official said France would not join "at this stage" and raised questions about respect for U.N. principles and structure. - Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin received the invitation and the Kremlin was studying the details. - Israeli officials voiced objections: Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the plan's cancellation, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said differences with the U.S. would not harm his relationship with President Trump. - A U.S. official told reporters that a $1 billion contribution would secure permanent membership on the board, while a three-year appointment would have no contribution requirement. - The U.S. is expected to announce an official list of board members soon, likely during the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. Summary: The proposal has prompted debate over how the new body would relate to existing U.N. structures and has drawn specific objections from some Israeli officials. The United States is expected to publish a membership list in the near term, but details on the board's powers, funding and full membership remain undetermined at this time.