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Trump Holds First Board of Peace Meeting, Nations Pledge $5 B for Gaza Reconstruction

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Inaugural Board Convened With Broad International Attendance On Thursday, Feb. 19, President Donald Trump opened the first Board of Peace session in Washington, drawing representatives from more than 40 countries and the European Union, while a dozen states such as Germany, Italy, Norway and Switzerland attended as observers [1][2]. High‑profile speakers included Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, former British prime minister Tony Blair, Board high representative Nickolay Mladenov and UN ambassador Mike Waltz [1][3]. The meeting was structured like a cabinet session, giving each nation roughly 90 seconds to brief the board on security and humanitarian matters [3].

Member Nations Pledged $5 B, Far Below Reconstruction Estimates Board participants collectively pledged $5 billion toward rebuilding Gaza, a fraction of the roughly $70 billion experts say is required for full reconstruction [1][2][4]. The pledge was announced alongside a promise of “thousands” of peacekeeping personnel, though detailed troop numbers were not disclosed at the time [1][4]. Critics note the funding gap and the lack of a concrete implementation plan for the pledged resources [3].

Indonesia Provides the Only Firm Troop Commitment Indonesia has emerged as the sole country offering a concrete contribution to the proposed International Stabilization Force, training up to 8,000 soldiers for deployment by the end of June [1][2][4]. Indonesian officials indicated readiness to send personnel for humanitarian and security duties, while the United States signaled it could contribute additional troops but has not made a public commitment [3]. The board’s reliance on a single nation for manpower underscores concerns about the force’s viability [1][3].

UN Security Council Meets Simultaneously, Calls for Permanent Ceasefire The UN Security Council convened a high‑level session earlier on Feb. 19, moving the meeting up to avoid overlapping with Trump’s board, and urged that the existing Gaza ceasefire become permanent while condemning Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank [2]. Council members, including Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar, labeled the West Bank moves illegal and warned they threaten a two‑state solution [2]. UN officials described the day as a “pivotal moment” but cautioned that disarming Hamas, deploying an international security force, and rebuilding Gaza remain unresolved challenges [2].

Skepticism Persists Over Board’s Role Relative to the UN European allies such as France and Germany declined to join the board, reaffirming support for the UN’s diplomatic framework and highlighting a split among traditional partners [1][2]. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin urged the United Nations to retain leadership of crisis management, prompting a White House rebuttal that the board is “not talking, it is doing” [1]. Analysts note that the board’s limited membership and reliance on Indonesia for troops may limit its ability to serve as a credible counterweight to the UN [3][4].

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Timeline

Oct 2025 – The U.S.‑brokered 20‑point ceasefire enters its first phase, halting major combat in Gaza and setting the stage for a later governance transition [19].

Jan 8, 2026 – President Benjamin Netanyahu announces Bulgarian diplomat Nick Mladenov as director‑general of the new Gaza peace board, which will supervise the second, more complex ceasefire phase [28].

Jan 9, 2026 – The White House confirms Mladenov as head of the board, describing its mandate to oversee a technocratic Palestinian administration, Hamas disarmament, an international security force and reconstruction [29].

Jan 11, 2026 – Hamas declares it will dissolve its Gaza government once a politically unaligned technocratic committee assumes control, linking the transition to the Board of Peace’s oversight of ceasefire enforcement [26].

Jan 13, 2026 – UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer weighs joining the Board of Peace, while former UK premier Tony Blair is expected to sit on a separate executive board, highlighting the board’s high‑profile recruitment [25].

Jan 16, 2026 – The White House names former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the founding executive board, alongside Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, cementing a U.S.–centric leadership team [23].

Jan 17, 2026 – The administration unveils two Gaza boards—an Executive Board and a Gaza Executive Board—without any Palestinian members, prompting UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese to warn the structure “resembles a colonial solution imposed without Palestinian input” [24]; Israel’s government objects, saying the plan was not coordinated and contravenes its policy [22]; simultaneously, Trump expands the Board’s remit to global conflict resolution, sending invitation letters to leaders such as Javier Milei and Mark Carney and noting UN Security Council endorsement of the 20‑point plan [21].

Jan 18, 2026 – Trump publicly invites world leaders to join the Board, outlining a National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) led by Ali Shaath and a Gaza Executive Board, while Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes advisers to protest the lack of Israeli representation on the board’s lower bodies [19][5].

Jan 20, 2026 – Trump declares the Board “could replace the United Nations” for Gaza reconstruction, announces a founding Executive Board including Kushner, Rubio and Blair, and notes that permanent seats require a $1 billion contribution [14]; the draft charter describes a nimble global peace‑building body with Trump as indefinite chairman, and invitations extend to dozens of nations including Argentina, Hungary, Vietnam and Russia [15]; Argentina’s Javier Milei and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán confirm participation, while France declines and Trump threatens tariffs on French wine [16]; South Korea receives an invitation and places its participation under review [30].

Jan 21, 2026 – Seven Muslim‑majority states—Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan and Qatar—sign on, joining Israel, and Trump says Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation that remains under consideration [4].

Jan 22, 2026 – The United Kingdom delays signing, citing concerns over Putin’s participation and the board’s legal treaty implications [3]; analysts warn the board could duplicate or undermine existing diplomatic channels and lacks enforcement power [11]; the White House reports about 30 of the roughly 60 invited countries are expected to join, while several European states decline [12]; Trump pushes the board beyond Gaza, with eight Muslim countries accepting, France rejecting, and Russia, China and the UK still assessing [13].

Jan 23, 2026 – Trump withdraws Canada’s invitation after Ottawa signals it will not fund the $1 billion permanent‑member fee, marking a setback in North‑American relations [1]; the board faces practical hurdles as U.S. sanctions and visa restrictions affect participation of several invited states [9].

Jan 29, 2026 – The board’s charter broadens its scope to mediate worldwide conflicts and “eclipse the Security Council,” prompting UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres to reaffirm that “the basic responsibility for international peace and security lies with the U.N., lies with the Security Council” [8]; UN officials also warn the initiative threatens the multilateral order [2].

Feb 19, 2026 – Trump convenes the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, with representatives from over 40 nations and the EU; members pledge a total of $5 billion for Gaza reconstruction—far short of the estimated $70 billion needed—and announce plans for an international stabilization force, of which Indonesia is the sole confirmed troop provider [6][7]; Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin urges the UN to lead crisis management, while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defends the board as “not talking, it is doing” [6].

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