US to Host First Gaza 'Board of Peace' Meeting in Washington on Feb. 19

The White House is planning the first leaders’ meeting for the newly formed Gaza “Board of Peace” on February 19, Axios reported, citing a US official and diplomats from four member countries. The gathering, which would also serve as a fundraising event for Gaza’s reconstruction, is set to take place at the US Institute of Peace in Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet President Trump at the White House on February 18, a day before the board convenes.

Launched by Trump in late January, the board is intended to oversee Gaza’s temporary governance and, according to the president, address global conflicts. The initiative has drawn criticism for excluding Palestinians and for resembling a colonial-style structure. While some Middle Eastern allies have joined, many of the US’s traditional Western partners have opted out, reflecting widespread caution about the initiative’s legitimacy and scope.

The board operates against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, which has seen repeated violations since October. Israel’s military actions since late 2023 have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, displaced Gaza’s entire population, and created severe humanitarian crises, prompting multiple rights groups and a UN inquiry to label the attacks as potential genocide. The Gaza Board of Peace meeting will thus take place amid ongoing international concern over both humanitarian conditions and political oversight of the territory.