Washington: The White House is preparing to convene the inaugural leaders’ summit of the controversial Gaza “Board of Peace” on Feb. 19, 2026, in Washington, marking a high-stakes diplomatic push to marshal international support for reconstruction and political stability in the war-torn Gaza Strip, according to U.S. administration sources and media reports.
Scheduled to take place at the U.S. Institute of Peace, this meeting still in early planning and subject to change is intended both as a fundraising forum for rebuilding Gaza and as a platform to galvanize broader geopolitical backing for the second phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan.
Officials familiar with the planning told Axios that the gathering will bring together leaders from countries that have joined the board, which was announced late last month by President Donald Trump as part of his broader strategy to resolve protracted conflicts globally, beginning with Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected in Washington on Feb. 18 a day before the summit for discussions with President Trump that could influence the board’s agenda and signal U.S.–Israeli alignment on Gaza’s future governance and security arrangements.
The Board of Peace concept was first unveiled by Trump in January 2026 and later endorsed by a United Nations Security Council resolution in November, authorizing an international stabilization force and a transition mechanism after a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect.
While some Middle Eastern states have agreed to participate, many traditional Western allies have chosen to stay out of the initiative, reflecting unease about U.S. leadership and the board’s design. Critics argue that the body chaired by Trump and initially focused on Gaza risks undermining established international institutions and bypassing Palestinian voices in decisions about their homeland.
Human rights advocates have also raised concerns that, if empowered to supervise Gaza’s temporary governance, the board could resemble a foreign administrative mandate, sidelining the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians for self-determination and statehood.
Some governments have publicly defended their support. The Arab League’s secretary-general earlier this year framed the initiative as a potential pathway to lasting peace after years of stalled diplomatic efforts.
The board’s mandate extends beyond simple reconstruction. It is also tasked with overseeing the transition to Phase II of the peace plan a process that includes stabilizing security, facilitating humanitarian relief, and supporting Palestinian administrative structures. Implementation has been fraught with controversy, including debates over the inclusion of foreign technocrats and concerns about what this means for future Palestinian governance.
Indonesia, for example, has championed the idea of a Palestinian-led technocratic committee operating under the board’s umbrella to manage day-to-day affairs in Gaza, a move aimed at ensuring local agency within the broader international framework.
Despite diplomatic progress on paper, the ceasefire that has held since late 2025 remains precarious, punctuated by ongoing clashes and violations. Since the conflict erupted in late 2023, more than 71,000 Palestinians have been reported killed, widespread displacement has left communities destitute, and humanitarian needs remain immense.
More than 550 Palestinians and several Israeli soldiers have died in violations of the truce since its implementation, underscoring the fragility of peace on the ground and the urgency of tangible progress on reconstruction and governance.
The Feb. 19 summit in Washington will test whether the Board of Peace can transition from a U.S.-led diplomatic concept to an effective multilateral vehicle for Gaza’s recovery or whether it deepens geopolitical divisions over the future of the Palestinian enclave. Stakeholders from across the world will be watching closely as the initiative unfolds in the coming weeks.