Trump's Board of Peace Convenes Inaugural Meeting in Washington Amidst Gaza Ceasefire Discussions

Inaugural Session Addresses Gaza Ceasefire and Palestinian Future

Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump's Board of Peace is convening its inaugural meeting today, February 19, 2026, in Washington, D.C., to deliberate on the ongoing Gaza ceasefire and the future of the Palestinian territories. This significant gathering follows a United Nations Security Council meeting held yesterday, February 18, 2026, which also addressed the critical situation in the Middle East.

The Board of Peace, proposed in September 2025 and formally established in January 2026 during the 56th World Economic Forum in Davos, was endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803 on November 17, 2025. President Trump, who serves as the Board's chairman, has expressed high expectations for the initiative, stating that it has 'unlimited potential' and could become 'the most consequential international body in history.'

Mandate and the Comprehensive Peace Plan

The primary objective of the Board of Peace is to oversee the implementation of President Trump's 'Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict,' also known as his 20-point peace plan, which was announced on September 29, 2025. This plan outlines a multi-faceted approach to achieving stability in the region, including:

• An immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
• The return of all hostages and prisoner exchanges.
• The demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.
• The deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF).
• Transitional governance by Palestinian technocrats under international supervision.
• Large-scale reconstruction efforts for Gaza.
• A conditional pathway toward Palestinian self-determination and statehood.

The first phase of the plan, which included a ceasefire effective October 10, 2025, the release of hostages, and increased humanitarian aid, has seen some progress. However, the more challenging steps, such as the disarmament of Hamas and the full demilitarization of Gaza, remain central to the Board's discussions.

International Participation and Concerns

The inaugural meeting is being held at the recently renamed Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington. Over two dozen countries have joined the Board as founding members, including key Middle Eastern allies such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar. Other nations, including Argentina, Hungary, and Indonesia, are also members, while many more are attending as observers. President Trump announced that member nations have pledged over $5 billion for Gaza's humanitarian aid and reconstruction, along with commitments for personnel for the International Stabilization Force.

Despite the broad participation, the initiative has faced scrutiny. Some countries, including Brazil and Mexico, have declined to join, citing the absence of Palestinian representatives on the Board. Critics have also raised concerns that the Board of Peace could potentially undermine the role of the United Nations in global peacemaking efforts.

Preceding UN Security Council Meeting

The Board's meeting follows a high-level UN Security Council session held yesterday, February 18, 2026, in New York. The UN meeting focused on the Gaza ceasefire deal and Israel's actions regarding the expansion of control in the West Bank. Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour urged the international community to 'stop Israel and end their illegal effort against annexation,' while Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused the Security Council of being 'infected with an anti-Israeli obsession.' The UN meeting underscored the complex diplomatic landscape surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the Board of Peace begins its work.