20.01.2026 19:31
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly expressed his sadness to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio by directly calling him about Turkey and Qatar's participation in the Gaza Management Board established under U.S. President Donald Trump's plan. It was suggested that Netanyahu realized a point of no return had been reached after Trump's announcement of the decision.
The Israeli press reported that shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced on January 17 that he instructed Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to meet with his American counterpart Marco Rubio, the Israeli Prime Minister directly called Rubio to discuss.
'THE CLAIM THAT HE EXPRESSED HIS SADNESS ABOUT TURKEY'S PRESENCE TO RUBIO'
According to the news, Netanyahu stated in his meeting with Rubio that Israel opposed Turkey and Qatar's participation in the council and was surprised by the U.S. statement regarding the council.
Sources familiar with the matter reported that Netanyahu realized that a path had been taken from which there was no return after U.S. President Donald Trump announced his decision. The report also indicated that the Netanyahu-Rubio meeting was confirmed by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office.
ISRAEL HAD CLAIMED THAT THE U.S. DID NOT COORDINATE ITS DECISION WITH THEM
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office claimed on January 17 that the Gaza Management Council announced by the U.S. was established without consulting them and that this contradicted the policies of the Tel Aviv administration, stating that Netanyahu instructed Foreign Minister Saar to contact his American counterpart Rubio to address the issue.
Local media noted that the inclusion of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in the Gaza Management Council caused a reaction from the Tel Aviv administration.
The Gaza Management Council will work to monitor and support the activities of the Gaza Management National Committee established for the administration of Gaza with the High Representative's Office.
The council will include Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi, General Hassan Rashad from Egypt, Tony Blair, Marc Rowan, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al-Hashimy, Nikolay Mladenov, Israeli-born businessman Yakir Gabay, and UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Sigrid Kaag.