Pakistan, Arab, Asian states join US-led Gaza peace mechanism, Netanyahu’s participation criticized
Washington: A group of countries from the Middle East and Asia have agreed to participate in a United States-backed peace mechanism for Gaza, endorsing efforts led by US President Donald Trump to work towards a permanent ceasefire and a political resolution to the conflict.
Al Jazeera reported that in a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar confirmed their decision to join what has been described as a “board of peace” for the Gaza Strip. The ministers said their participation reflects support for initiatives aimed at ending hostilities, facilitating reconstruction in the war-hit territory and advancing a lasting settlement based on Palestinian self-determination and statehood under international law.
Kuwait later announced that it had also accepted Washington’s invitation to be part of the proposed body.
The developments come shortly after the White House disclosed details of the peace board, which forms part of a broader plan announced by President Trump to bring an end to Israel’s war in Gaza. The mechanism is expected to supervise a Palestinian technocratic committee that would handle the enclave’s administrative affairs.
According to US officials, the board will include senior presidential advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, along with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The composition of the body and the role envisaged for Israel have drawn scrutiny, particularly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that he would take part in the process.
With the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against Netanyahu for war crimes, residents in Gaza have questioned about the initiative's reliability, while noting ongoing Israeli military operations and severe restrictions on humanitarian aid, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Abu Ramzi al-Sandawi, a resident of Gaza City, rejected Netanyahu’s participation, holding him responsible for the devastation in the enclave and describing him as the central figure behind the ongoing war.
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French President Macron concludes Mumbai visit
Mumbai (PTI): French President Emmanuel Macron, along with First Lady Brigitte Macron, left Mumbai for New Delhi on Wednesday after concluding his engagements here, including bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
They were seen off at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
On Tuesday, Macron held discussions with Modi as part of efforts to further strengthen India-France strategic ties.
During the Mumbai visit, the French president and his wife also met some of India's top filmmakers and actors, and had an animated exchange with them about cinema, culture and collaboration.
President Macron is on an official visit to India from February 17 to 19 at the invitation of PM Modi to participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India in the national capital Delhi, besides the bilateral summit in Mumbai.
PM Modi will inaugurate the summit on February 19. As many as 20 heads of states, including French President Macron, will be present at the inaugural session, Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan said.
