DAVOS, Switzerland/GAZA/BRUSSELS/LONDON/MOSCOW/JERUSALEM -formally launched his so-called “Board of Peace” on Thursday at a charter-signing ceremony during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The move has drawn concern from observers who warn it could undermine the primacy of the United Nations and the established multilateral framework for peacekeeping. Some major global powers and traditional US allies have declined to join the board.
Speaking at the event, Trump stated that the board, which he will chair, could “do pretty much whatever we want,” while claiming it would operate “in conjunction with the United Nations.” Critics, however, fear it risks overlapping with or weakening the existing UN-centered multilateral system.
Under the current plan, Trump would serve as the board’s inaugural chairman, a position he could hold for life. Trump said permanent members must each contribute 1 billion US dollars to fund the board.
Netanyahu’s inclusion
Also on Thursday, Hamas criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s inclusion in the US-led “Board of Peace” for Gaza, calling it a “dangerous indicator that contradicts the principles of justice and accountability.”
In a statement, the group accused Netanyahu of obstructing the Gaza ceasefire and carrying out ongoing violations, including attacks on civilians and destruction of infrastructure, despite a truce that has largely held for over three months.
“The occupation is the root of terrorism,” the statement said, adding that “the first step towards achieving stability lies in stopping its violations and ending it irrevocably.”
EU’s doubts
The European Union has serious doubts about many elements of the “Board of Peace” proposed by the United States, including its scope, governance and compatibility with the United Nations Charter, said European Council President Antonio Costa after the council’s emergency summit concluded shortly after midnight Thursday.
‘Britain will not sign it’
Meanwhile, Britain will not sign Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace” treaty on Thursday, said British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
“There’s a huge amount of work to do, we won’t be one of the signatories today,” she told British media.
Russian assets
Russia is willing to allocate $1 billion from Russia’s US-frozen assets to the “Board of Peace” for Gaza, a move that would require the unblocking of the assets, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Trump had invited Russia to join the US-initiated Board of Peace, and that Russia would hold consultations with its strategic partners on the matter, according to a statement published on the Kremlin’s official website on Wednesday.
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Rafah crossing
Israel’s cabinet will discuss reopening the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt “early next week,” a senior Israeli official said on Thursday, after the interim Gaza administration declared the crossing would reopen next week.
The official, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity, said the discussion would be tied to ongoing efforts to secure the return of the body of Ran Gvili, believed to be the last hostage whose body is still held in Gaza.
“A special effort is underway to secure the return of the late Ran Guaili, making full use of the information at Israel’s disposal,” the official stated.
Meanwhile, five Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire, while a three-month-old infant died from exposure to cold in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources reported on Thursday.
Also on Thursday, Hamas on Thursday condemned the United States’ decision to sanction several Gaza-based charities, calling the move “unjust” and driven by Israeli influence.
In a statement, the group said the sanctions would “perpetuate the suffering of Gaza Strip residents, a suffering created by the Israeli occupation,” and urged the US to reverse the measures, which it said “favor the occupation.”