Israel's Shocking U-Turn on US Peace Plan: Is it a Clever Gamble or a Desperate Gambit?
In a stunning reversal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to join the US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" for the future of Gaza. Just days ago, Israel's leader raised objections to various parts of the multilayered structure proposed by Washington to oversee the Palestinian territory.
The sudden change in stance has sparked criticism from many Palestinians and their supporters, given Netanyahu's central role in the genocidal war on Gaza since October 2023, which has claimed over 71,450 lives. The Israeli leader is also facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes in the Palestinian territory.
However, experts say there's a thought-out strategy behind what appears to be a flip-flop in Israel's position. Netanyahu may have accepted a seat on the board as part of a broader strategy to disrupt future efforts for governance of Gaza, analysts suggest.
Netanyahu's decision is seen as a calculated move to sabotage US-led initiatives, given that members of the Board will oversee critical areas such as governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilization. However, Israel has already objected to Trump's inclusion of Turkiye and Qatar on the board, labeling this a "red line."
The real deadlock is operational, analysts claim, pointing out that Israel is refusing to allow the Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of Gaza – a 15-person committee tasked with rebuilding and overseen by the Board of Peace – to enter the Gaza Strip via the Rafah crossing. This move effectively freezes reconstruction before it can begin.
Netanyahu's apparent U-turn on the US peace plan has raised questions about his true intentions. While all members of the board will be able to vote on decisions, Trump as chairman will have the power to veto them – a power that Israel may use to extract concessions from Washington.
The Israeli government's decision to join the Board of Peace is seen as part of a broader pattern of compliance for compensation, according to Rami Khouri. This strategy involves conceding to US demands in exchange for significant guarantees and benefits. By creating a crisis over the inclusion of Turkiye and Qatar or the building of high-rise apartment blocks, Netanyahu may be positioning himself to demand new security guarantees – or perhaps access to advanced weaponry – in return for allowing the Board of Peace to function.
Netanyahu's decision is also driven by domestic pressure, analysts suggest. A recent poll revealed that 53 percent of Israelis view the Turkish-Qatari involvement in the Board of Peace as an "Israeli failure." Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called the plan a "bad plan for Israel" and demanded military rule over Gaza.
As elections loom in October 2026, Netanyahu is walking a tightrope. If Israel withdraws from Gaza without Hamas being disarmed, this will be considered a failure. The Israeli leader's personal electoral interests may take precedence over pleasing Trump.
Ultimately, the US public opinion is shifting further to horror at the genocide in Gaza, forcing Washington to take heed. However, Israel remains terrified of losing "sole security control" of the Strip and will use all available methods to stall any progress on governance and reconstruction.
In a stunning reversal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to join the US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" for the future of Gaza. Just days ago, Israel's leader raised objections to various parts of the multilayered structure proposed by Washington to oversee the Palestinian territory.
The sudden change in stance has sparked criticism from many Palestinians and their supporters, given Netanyahu's central role in the genocidal war on Gaza since October 2023, which has claimed over 71,450 lives. The Israeli leader is also facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes in the Palestinian territory.
However, experts say there's a thought-out strategy behind what appears to be a flip-flop in Israel's position. Netanyahu may have accepted a seat on the board as part of a broader strategy to disrupt future efforts for governance of Gaza, analysts suggest.
Netanyahu's decision is seen as a calculated move to sabotage US-led initiatives, given that members of the Board will oversee critical areas such as governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilization. However, Israel has already objected to Trump's inclusion of Turkiye and Qatar on the board, labeling this a "red line."
The real deadlock is operational, analysts claim, pointing out that Israel is refusing to allow the Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of Gaza – a 15-person committee tasked with rebuilding and overseen by the Board of Peace – to enter the Gaza Strip via the Rafah crossing. This move effectively freezes reconstruction before it can begin.
Netanyahu's apparent U-turn on the US peace plan has raised questions about his true intentions. While all members of the board will be able to vote on decisions, Trump as chairman will have the power to veto them – a power that Israel may use to extract concessions from Washington.
The Israeli government's decision to join the Board of Peace is seen as part of a broader pattern of compliance for compensation, according to Rami Khouri. This strategy involves conceding to US demands in exchange for significant guarantees and benefits. By creating a crisis over the inclusion of Turkiye and Qatar or the building of high-rise apartment blocks, Netanyahu may be positioning himself to demand new security guarantees – or perhaps access to advanced weaponry – in return for allowing the Board of Peace to function.
Netanyahu's decision is also driven by domestic pressure, analysts suggest. A recent poll revealed that 53 percent of Israelis view the Turkish-Qatari involvement in the Board of Peace as an "Israeli failure." Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called the plan a "bad plan for Israel" and demanded military rule over Gaza.
As elections loom in October 2026, Netanyahu is walking a tightrope. If Israel withdraws from Gaza without Hamas being disarmed, this will be considered a failure. The Israeli leader's personal electoral interests may take precedence over pleasing Trump.
Ultimately, the US public opinion is shifting further to horror at the genocide in Gaza, forcing Washington to take heed. However, Israel remains terrified of losing "sole security control" of the Strip and will use all available methods to stall any progress on governance and reconstruction.
. He's basically turning the screws on Trump and the US, making them walk into a trap. By joining the Board of Peace, he gets to dictate terms and ensure that the Palestinians don't get their hands on any real power. It's all about strings attached, and Israel's getting the better end of the deal 
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. Netanyahu knows exactly what's going on, and he's playing the long game. He's not concerned about losing face; he's worried about keeping his grip on power in Israel.
. This move is all about maintaining the status quo and ensuring that the Palestinians remain in a state of limbo. Bring on the elections in 2026 – I think Netanyahu will come out on top 
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Netanyahu's suddenly on board w/ Trump's peace plan & it's like 2 sides r tryin 2 pull a fast one 
. Like, how can Netanyahu claim he's interested in peace when his own gov is still tryin 2 starve the ppl of Gaza? 
And what's w/ all these conditions & veto powers? Sounds like Israel's just tryna extract concessions from Trump 
. I dunno, maybe Netanyahu's just a master strategist or somethin 
... but it feels like he's playin both sides against each other 
and whats with the whole "governance capacity-building" thing? sounds like a bunch of corporate speak to me 
. If I had to guess, I'd say it's a bit of both? 
. Netanyahu's got history of making bold moves, but also a reputation for being super unpopular among Palestinians and some Israelis alike 
. This whole situation feels like it's heading towards another stalemate in the region, with both sides digging in their heels 
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. i'm also getting kinda tired of these diplomatic back-and-forth games, it's like they're all just playing some giant game of chess with human lives as pawns 
. I mean, one minute he's objecting to parts of the US peace plan, and the next, he's joining the Board of Peace like it's no big deal 
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. And then Netanyahu goes and freezes everything by refusing to let the Palestinian National Committee enter the strip via the Rafah crossing 
. It's like, I get it, he wants to stall progress, but at what cost? The lives of 71,450 people are still being claimed by that war 
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It looks like Netanyahu is playing a strategic game, trying to disrupt future efforts for governance of Gaza while also seeking benefits from the US-led initiatives. His decision to join the Board of Peace might seem like a U-turn, but it's likely part of his broader strategy to gain concessions from Washington in exchange for compliance. 
but seriously though this whole thing is a mess i mean whats next gonna be israel saying ok can we have our cake and eat it too too 
israel's just tryna get ahead of the game but us public opinion is shifting & forcing washington 2 take heed 
But at the same time, if he doesn't show some progress, he'll lose elections too 
. "Oh, I'm being bullied by Turkey and Qatar!" 
Give me a break. What does he really have to lose?