The European Union's executive arm, Russia, Belarus, and Thailand were the latest entities invited on Monday to join former U.S. President Donald Trump's new Board of Peace, which is intended to supervise the next phase of the Gaza peace plan. The invitation comes as a top Israeli official voiced concerns that the initiative is detrimental to Israel and should be abandoned.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin received the invitation. According to Peskov, the Kremlin is currently reviewing the details and will seek clarification on all aspects through discussions with the U.S. The Thai Foreign Ministry also acknowledged receiving an invitation and stated that it is currently evaluating the details. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has been invited and is prepared to participate, according to the country's Foreign Ministry.

European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill confirmed that Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the commission, received an invitation and would be consulting with other EU leaders regarding Gaza. Gill did not indicate whether the invitation had been accepted but emphasized the commission's desire to contribute to a comprehensive plan aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict. The exact number of leaders invited to join the board remains unclear.

The Board of Peace initiative, reportedly referenced in Trump's invitation, aims to leverage international cooperation to foster stability and development in the Gaza Strip. The plan's specifics remain largely undisclosed, but it is expected to involve economic investment, infrastructure development, and security coordination.

The inclusion of Russia and Belarus, countries with strained relations with the West, has raised eyebrows among some observers. Their involvement could potentially complicate the peace process, given existing geopolitical tensions and differing perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Thailand's participation adds a Southeast Asian perspective to the initiative, potentially bringing a different approach to conflict resolution.

The European Union's consideration of the invitation reflects its long-standing commitment to a two-state solution and its desire to play a constructive role in the region. However, the EU's decision will likely be influenced by internal discussions among member states and a careful assessment of the plan's feasibility and potential impact.

The Israeli official's criticism of the initiative highlights the divisions within Israel regarding the approach to the Gaza conflict. Some factions within the Israeli government may view the Trump plan as undermining Israel's security interests or deviating from established negotiation frameworks.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the composition and direction of the Board of Peace. The responses from the invited parties, particularly Russia and the EU, will significantly shape the initiative's prospects for success. Further details about the plan's objectives and implementation strategies are expected to emerge as discussions progress.