Trump Kicks Off First Board of Peace Meeting on Gaza
Foreign Policy
by Alexandra SharpFebruary 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
U.S. President Donald Trump hosted the first meeting of his Board of Peace in Washington, D.C., marking a significant step in his administration's efforts to address the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. During the inaugural session on February 19, nine member countries committed $7 billion in aid for Gaza's war-torn region. This funding is part of a broader U.S.-led initiative aimed at reconstruction, disarmament, and improving governance in Gaza. However, Trump has expanded the Board of Peace's mandate to include not just regional stability but global conflict resolution, raising concerns among experts about its potential rivalry with the United Nations.
The Board of Peace was established as a key component of Trump's 20-point peace plan to end the Israel-Hamas war. While the initial focus was on Gaza's reconstruction and humanitarian relief, Trump emphasized the group's long-term vision of achieving lasting peace worldwide. The $7 billion pledged by nine countries represents only a fraction of the estimated $70 billion needed for full-scale rebuilding efforts in Gaza. Additionally, five nations agreed to deploy troops as part of an international stabilization force, with two others committing to train police officers. This plan includes deploying 20,000 soldiers and 12,000 police officers, initially focusing on the Rafah area to support reconstruction.
Despite the ambitious goals, questions remain about how the pledged funds will be allocated and sourced. Trump has not provided specifics on these details, leaving some uncertainty about the initiative's practical implementation. The Board of Peace meeting also highlighted the administration's broader geopolitical aspirations, with Trump repeatedly invoking its role in global conflict resolution. This has led to speculation that the U.S. may be seeking to establish the Board as a rival to the United Nations, potentially reshaping international diplomacy.
For readers interested in politics and global affairs, this development underscores Trump's ambitious approach to addressing the Gaza crisis and his vision for U.S. leadership in international peacekeeping efforts. The
Verticals
politicsinternational
Originally published on Foreign Policy on 2/19/2026