ISRAEL’S government is objecting to the White House announcement of leaders who will play a role in overseeing next steps in Gaza as the ceasefire moves into its challenging second phase.

The rare criticism from Israel of its close ally in Washington on Saturday said the Gaza executive committee “was not co-ordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policy,” without details. 

The statement also said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the Foreign Ministry to contact Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The committee announced by the White House on Friday includes no Israeli official but has an Israeli businessman, billionaire Yakir Gabay. 

Other members announced so far include two of US President Donald Trump’s closest confidants, a former British prime minister, a US general and representatives of several Middle Eastern governments.

The White House has said the executive committee will carry out the vision of a Trump-led “board of peace,” whose members have not yet been named. 

The White House also announced the members of a new Palestinian committee to run Gaza’s day-to-day affairs, with oversight from the executive committee. The Palestinian committee met for the first time on Thursday in Cairo.

The executive committee’s members include Secretary Rubio, presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, Mr Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, British former prime minister Tony Blair, Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan, World Bank president Ajay Banga and President Trump’s Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel.

Committee members also include a diplomat from Qatar, an intelligence chief from Egypt and Turkey’s foreign minister — all countries have been ceasefire mediators — as well as a cabinet minister for the United Arab Emirates.

Mr Trump wants countries to contribute at least $1 billion (around £700 million) for a permanent seat on the board of peace for the Gaza Strip, according to Bloomberg. The report also said decisions of the board will be made by majority vote, with each country receiving one vote. But, all decisions must be approved by Mr Trump.

Mr Netanyahu’s office didn’t respond on Saturday to questions about its objections regarding the executive committee.

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir backed Mr Netanyahu and urged him to order a return to war in Gaza. 

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, another far-right ally of Mr Netanyahu, said “the countries that kept Hamas alive cannot be the ones that replace it.”

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Gaza’s second-largest militant group after Hamas, also expressed dissatisfaction with the make-up of the Gaza executive committee and claimed it reflected Israeli “specifications.”