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Trump’s Gaza Peace Board Meets; Hamas Launches Election for Interim Leader

Updated (79 articles)
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    Image: AP
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  • This EPA photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump (C) raising the gavel during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap)
    This EPA photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump (C) raising the gavel during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This EPA photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump (C) raising the gavel during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • The UN estimates the cost of damage in Gaza at $70bn
    The UN estimates the cost of damage in Gaza at $70bn
    Image: BBC
    The UN estimates the cost of damage in Gaza at $70bn (Reuters) Source Full size
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  • Khaled Meshaal, part of Hamas's "old guard", who has already led the group, is said to be one of the frontrunners
    Khaled Meshaal, part of Hamas's "old guard", who has already led the group, is said to be one of the frontrunners
    Image: BBC
    Khaled Meshaal, part of Hamas's "old guard", who has already led the group, is said to be one of the frontrunners (Reuters) Source Full size
  • None
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    Image: AP
    Source Full size
  • U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo, released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)
    U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo, released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo, released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Khaled Meshaal, part of Hamas's "old guard", who has already led the group, is said to be one of the frontrunners
    Khaled Meshaal, part of Hamas's "old guard", who has already led the group, is said to be one of the frontrunners
    Image: BBC
    Khaled Meshaal, part of Hamas's "old guard", who has already led the group, is said to be one of the frontrunners (Reuters) Source Full size
  • Khalil al-Hayya, seen here meeting Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in February, is considered ideologically close to Yahya Sinwar
    Khalil al-Hayya, seen here meeting Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in February, is considered ideologically close to Yahya Sinwar
    Image: BBC
    Khalil al-Hayya, seen here meeting Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in February, is considered ideologically close to Yahya Sinwar (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • The UN estimates the cost of damage in Gaza at $70bn
    The UN estimates the cost of damage in Gaza at $70bn
    Image: BBC
    The UN estimates the cost of damage in Gaza at $70bn (Reuters) Source Full size
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
    Source Full size
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
    Source Full size
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
    Source Full size
  • This EPA photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump (C) raising the gavel during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap)
    This EPA photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump (C) raising the gavel during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This EPA photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump (C) raising the gavel during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo, released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)
    U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo, released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo, released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap) Source Full size

Inaugural Board of Peace Convenes in Washington On Feb 19 2026 the U.S.‑led Board of Peace held its first session at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, drawing officials from more than two dozen nations; 27 countries formally joined while the European Union and several states attended as observers [5][3][6][4]. President Donald Trump opened the meeting, raised a ceremonial gavel, and framed the board as a mechanism to rebuild Gaza under a new international framework [1][9]. The gathering featured high‑profile speakers including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British prime minister Tony Blair, and board high‑representative Nickolay Mladenov [7][9].

Trump Announces Multi‑Billion Gaza Relief Pledge Trump told delegates that nine member states—Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait—collectively pledged more than $7 billion for Gaza relief [3][6]. Other reports state that board members pledged $5 billion, highlighting a discrepancy between sources on the exact amount pledged [7][8]. The pledged funds are intended for humanitarian aid, reconstruction, and the creation of a transitional Palestinian police force that has already attracted 2,000 applicants [3][5].

South Korea Observes Board as Potential Donor South Korea sent former Egypt ambassador Kim Yong‑hyon to the Washington meeting in an observer capacity, signaling support for Trump’s peace push while remaining a non‑member [1][6]. The foreign ministry said Seoul will “prudently review” full membership and indicated the country could become a reconstruction donor [1][6]. Ministry spokesperson Park Il emphasized that participation aligns with South Korea’s broader Middle‑East security initiatives [1].

India Attends as Observer, Declines Membership India dispatched Chargé d’affaires Namgya Khampa as an observer but did not join the board despite an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi [4]. The Hindu notes that Trump pledged $10 billion from the United States and cited $5 billion from board members for Gaza reconstruction [4]. India’s observer status mirrors its recent criticism of Israel’s West Bank actions [4].

Hamas Begins Election for Interim Leader Amid Post‑War Talks Voting opened across Gaza, the West Bank and among Hamas members abroad, with secret ballots already cast in Gaza and an electoral college of roughly 86 General Shura Council members set to choose a one‑year interim head [2]. The election follows the 2024 killings of senior Hamas figures Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh and Mohammed Deif, leaving the movement under an interim committee led by Qatar‑based Mohammad Darwish [2]. Main contenders include Khaled Meshaal, a Doha‑based pragmatist, and other “old‑guard” figures linked to Iran [2].

Result Could Shape U.S. Ceasefire Plan and Gaza Governance The United States’ phased ceasefire proposal excludes Hamas from future administration, planning to transfer control to the Palestinian Authority after reforms; the stance of the newly elected Hamas leader will therefore influence reconstruction and political negotiations [2]. International observers note that the election outcome may affect the board’s reconstruction agenda and the broader effort to demilitarise Gaza before rebuilding [2][3].

Sources

Timeline

Oct 13 2025 – President Trump tells the Knesset that he has ended his “eighth war,” declares the Gaza ceasefire a landmark achievement, and says the region’s skies are now calm, though analysts warn the claim overstates the peace progress [25].

Dec 6 2025 – Qatar’s prime minister frames the Gaza ceasefire as a “pause” rather than a final settlement, notes the first phase is winding down, and says mediators push toward a second phase that includes an international security force and a technocratic Gaza government [24].

Dec 8 2025 – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the second phase of the Trump‑brokered plan, involving Israeli troop withdrawal and an international security force, is near completion but hinges on unresolved issues such as Hamas disarmament [23].

Dec 8 2025 – Netanyahu adds that the second phase could start by month‑end if Hamas returns the remains of Sergeant Ran Gvili and agrees to disarm, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledges German officer support and reaffirms a two‑state vision [26].

Dec 9 2025 – Hamas official Husam Badran demands full implementation of first‑phase terms—including ending home demolitions—before any second‑phase steps, while Israel says it will move forward once Hamas returns the hostage remains [22].

Dec 24 2025 – Israel’s prime‑ministerial office accuses Hamas of breaching the ceasefire after an IDF soldier is wounded, notes phase one remains incomplete because the last hostage’s body is still in Gaza, and warns that Hamas must demilitarise to meet phase‑two conditions [21].

Jan 16 2026 – The White House announces the Gaza oversight team, appoints Ali Shaath to lead the technocratic committee, pledges a three‑year reconstruction timeline, and flags the need for an international security force and Hamas disarmament as major hurdles [18].

Jan 17 2026 – President Trump names Sir Tony Blair and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the founding Executive Board of the Gaza Board of Peace, alongside Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff and other senior officials, signalling a high‑level U.S.‑led governance structure [17].

Jan 18 2026 – Former Bulgarian foreign minister Nickolay Mladenov becomes Gaza High Representative, tasked with translating the U.S.‑brokered ceasefire into a technocratic administration, while Hamas says it will cooperate and Palestinians warn of parallel authority risks [16].

Jan 20 2026 – Trump declares the Board of Peace “could replace the United Nations” for Gaza reconstruction, outlines a charter granting him indefinite chairmanship and a $1 billion permanent‑seat fee, and notes invitations to Russia, China and other states [14].

Jan 20 2026 – Nations deliberate Board membership: Argentina and Hungary confirm participation, France declines over UN concerns, and the White House says a full member list will be unveiled at Davos [15].

Jan 21 2026 – Seven Muslim‑majority states (Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar) join the Board, while Russia’s Putin is said to have accepted an invitation pending confirmation [12].

Jan 21 2026 – Western Europe balks (Norway, Sweden, France) as Muslim‑majority nations back the Board; the charter expands beyond Gaza, and Netanyahu announces Israel will join the Board [13].

Jan 22 2026 – The UK’s foreign secretary Yvette Cooper delays signing, citing legal concerns and the invitation to Putin, while the Board is presented as a broad peace body that could supplant UN functions [11].

Jan 22 2026 – At Davos, Trump launches the lifelong Board of Peace, claims it can act with the UN, and faces split reactions—support from Viktor Orbán and criticism from UN officials warning of threats to multilateral order [4].

Jan 22 2026 – The United States unveils a “New Gaza” master plan featuring 180 coastal towers, a new seaport and airport, and a phased rebuild starting in Rafah, with Jared Kushner insisting on Hamas demilitarisation and a two‑to‑three‑year construction timeline [5].

Jan 23 2026 – Trump withdraws Canada’s invitation to the Board after Ottawa balks at a $1 billion membership fee, marking a setback in North‑American cooperation on the initiative [3].

Jan 24 2026 – U.S. envoys meet Netanyahu in Cairo, press him to move the ceasefire to phase two, announce the Rafah crossing will reopen within the week, and note the family of Ran Gvili demands Hamas return the hostage’s remains [10].

Jan 27 2026 – The Board of Peace expands to about two dozen members—including Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE and Israel—while Trump hints the Board might rival the UN, prompting expert debate over its authority [9].

Feb 18 2026 – The inaugural Board of Peace meeting convenes in Washington, with Trump presiding, over two dozen nations represented, Indonesia training up to 8,000 troops for a proposed International Stabilisation Force, and the board pledging $5 billion for Gaza reconstruction [8][7].

Feb 19 2026 – The UN Security Council moves its session forward to avoid clashing with the Board, calls for a permanent Gaza ceasefire, and notes more than 20 countries have joined the Board while key allies like France and Germany stay out [6].

Feb 19 2026 – Trump announces that donor nations (Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, UAE, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Kuwait) have pledged over $7 billion for Gaza relief, and says the second ceasefire phase “looks like” Hamas will disarm, even as Israel links reconstruction to demilitarisation [2].

Feb 19 2026 – South Korea sends former ambassador Kim Yong‑hyon as an observer to the Board’s first meeting, signaling interest while keeping formal membership under review [28].

Feb 20 2026 – Hamas launches an election for a new interim leader across Gaza, the West Bank and abroad; secret voting occurs in Gaza, the winner will serve a twelve‑month term, and the outcome will shape post‑war governance under the U.S. ceasefire plan [1].

Feb 20 2026 – Trump lists South Korea among nations that will contribute to Gaza reconstruction fundraising, noting Japan, the Philippines and Singapore also plan donations, while confirming nine countries have pledged over $7 billion [29].

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