First Meeting of President Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ to Oversee Gaza Ceasefire, Concerns Among Some Allies
Washington, D.C. | February 19, 2026 | The Global Journal
U.S. President Donald Trump has convened the first meeting of the “Board of Peace,” established to oversee the Gaza ceasefire. Representatives from more than 40 countries attended the meeting held Thursday morning in Washington, D.C.
Trump created the board to supervise and implement his proposed ceasefire plan for Gaza. At the meeting, he announced that member states have pledged $7 billion for Gaza’s reconstruction. The United States, he added, will contribute an additional $10 billion to the initiative.
The meeting took place at the United States Institute of Peace building, which has recently been renamed after Trump. In his opening remarks, he credited Secretary of State Marco Rubio for assuming administrative responsibility for the building.
Trump chairs the Board of Peace, which was formally established last month. Heads of state and senior diplomats from countries including Argentina, Hungary, India, Pakistan, and Vietnam were in attendance. However, amid concerns over Russia’s potential involvement, France and United Kingdom chose to participate as observers rather than full members.
While Israel and several Arab states are members of the board, no Palestinian representative has been included—raising questions within diplomatic circles.
In his remarks, Trump described it as “the most prestigious board ever assembled.” He also stated that the board would work closely with the United Nations in the future and help strengthen the international system.
Meanwhile, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza remains fragile. Palestinian health officials claim that more than 600 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began. Trump, however, asserted that the war is effectively over and highlighted that numerous Israeli hostages have been freed as a result of his initiative.
Currently, a significant portion of Gaza remains under Israeli military control. A large population is living in dire humanitarian conditions along a narrow coastal strip. According to officials, reconstruction funds will primarily be allocated to areas under Israeli control.
The next phase of Trump’s plan includes the deployment of an international stabilization force to Gaza, intended to serve as a buffer between Israel and Hamas. Indonesia has already expressed willingness to contribute troops.
A key condition of the plan is the complete disarmament of Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Hamas must surrender not only heavy weapons but also small arms. Israel has issued a 60-day ultimatum, warning that failure to disarm could lead to the resumption of full-scale military operations.
According to a report published in the medical journal The Lancet, more than 75,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began.
The effectiveness of this new “Board of Peace” initiative in shaping international diplomacy remains uncertain, with mixed reactions emerging among allied nations.
