ISLAMABAD: The Israeli news outlet ILTV has voiced significantapprehensions regarding the participation of Pakistan and Turkey in thenewly established Board of Peace for Gaza, describing their inclusion aspotentially problematic due to perceived anti-Israel orientations. Thisdevelopment follows US President Donald Trump’s invitation to multiplenations, including Pakistan, to join the body aimed at overseeingpost-ceasefire stabilization, reconstruction, and long-term peace effortsin the Gaza Strip. ILTV’s coverage emphasizes that such memberships couldundermine efforts to fully dismantle Hamas influence and ensure securegovernance transitions.
The Board of Peace, formally launched during the World Economic Forum inDavos on January 22, 2026, represents a US-initiated multilateral frameworkunder Trump’s chairmanship. It builds on UN Security Council Resolution2803, focusing initially on Gaza demilitarization, humanitarian aidscaling, infrastructure rebuilding, and a technocratic Palestinianadministration. The board includes an executive committee and broadermembership, with Trump positioning it as a potential model for globalconflict resolution, though critics worry it may challenge existing UNmechanisms.
Pakistan accepted Trump’s personal invitation extended to Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmingparticipation to support a permanent ceasefire and Gaza reconstructionalongside other Muslim-majority nations. This aligns with Pakistan’slongstanding policy of advocating Palestinian rights without recognizingIsrael diplomatically. The decision has sparked domestic discussions inPakistan, balancing principled support for Palestine with engagement in aUS-led process that also involves Israel.
Turkey’s involvement has drawn sharper scrutiny from Israeli perspectives,given President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s consistent criticism of Israeliactions in Gaza, hosting of Hamas figures, and framing of the group as aresistance movement. ILTV reports have highlighted Turkey’s ties to Hamasas a core concern, suggesting that Ankara’s role might shield rather thaneliminate militant influence during reconstruction phases. Israel haspreviously pushed to exclude Turkish representatives from executiveoversight roles in Gaza-related bodies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite initial reservationsabout certain members including Turkey and Qatar, confirmed Israel’sparticipation in the Board of Peace. This pragmatic step reflectscoordination with the US amid broader regional dynamics, though Netanyahu’soffice had earlier stated that aspects of the executive board compositionwere not aligned with Israeli policy preferences. Concerns center onensuring the board prioritizes Hamas disarmament over politicalaccommodation.
ILTV’s analysis frames the inclusion of nations like Pakistan and Turkey asraising red flags for Israel’s security interests. The outlet warns thatthe framework, while presented as stabilization, risks politicizingreconstruction and weakening enforcement against Hamas remnants. Such viewsecho broader Israeli media commentary on the challenges of involving statesperceived as supportive of adversarial elements in Gaza’s future governance.
The board’s membership now encompasses Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Egypt,Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Hungary, and others, with jointstatements from Muslim-majority participants endorsing ceasefireconsolidation and just peace. Trump’s administration has securedcommitments from over 20 countries, though Western European nations likeFrance, Norway, and Sweden have declined or remained noncommittal, citingmandate overlaps or strategic reservations.
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Pakistan’s entry into this initiative marks a notable diplomatic engagementin a post-conflict Gaza setup, even as bilateral tensions with Israelpersist. Officials in Islamabad have framed the move as constructivecontribution to humanitarian relief and stability, consistent with supportfor UN-aligned resolutions. However, Israeli outlets like ILTV interpret itthrough the lens of historical non-recognition and perceived alignmentsthat could complicate trust-building.
The evolving Board of Peace underscores shifting geopolitical alignmentsunder US leadership, testing multilateral cooperation in conflict zones.While proponents see potential for effective reconstruction bypassingtraditional bottlenecks, skeptics including ILTV highlight risks of dilutedobjectives if anti-Israel leanings influence decisions. The initiative’ssuccess will depend on balancing diverse national interests with core goalsof demilitarization and sustainable peace.
As discussions continue, the board’s operations could influence broaderMiddle East dynamics, including relations among Muslim nations, Israel, andthe US. ILTV’s concerns reflect ongoing Israeli vigilance over anyperceived concessions in Gaza’s transitional arrangements, amid hopes thatpragmatic participation yields tangible security gains.
Source: https://www.iltv.tv
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