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Trump’s Board of Peace Holds Inaugural Meeting, Announces $7 B Gaza Relief Pledge

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Inaugural Board of Peace Convened in Washington on Feb 19 The first session of Donald J. Trump’s Board of Peace opened Thursday, Feb 19 2026, at the Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, drawing officials from nearly 50 nations and the European Union as observers [2][3]. The gathering was billed as a “Cabinet‑style” summit, with speakers including President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair [5][3]. Attendance spanned continents, featuring countries such as Argentina, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom [2][3].

Member Nations Pledged Multi‑Billion Dollars for Gaza Reconstruction Board participants collectively committed $5 billion to fund relief and rebuilding in Gaza, a figure cited by three outlets [1][3][4]. The Associated Press’s later report raised the pledged amount to $7 billion, attributing the higher sum to nine member states that announced additional contributions during the meeting [2]. Both numbers fall far short of the roughly $70 billion estimated to fully reconstruct the enclave [3][4].

India Participated Only as Observer While Indonesia Offers Troops India sent Chargé d’affaires Namgya Khampa as an observer and has not become a full member despite an invitation extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi [1]. Indonesia is the sole country that has pledged personnel for the proposed International Stabilization Force, training up to 8,000 soldiers with the possibility of deploying 1,000–8,000 troops by June 2026 [3][4][6]. No other nation has confirmed troop contributions as of the meeting [3][5].

UN Security Council Held Parallel Session Emphasizing Ceasefire Earlier on Feb 19, the UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting, urging that the Israel‑Hamas ceasefire become permanent and condemning Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank [4]. The UN session was moved forward to avoid clashing with the Board’s inaugural meeting, underscoring competing diplomatic tracks [4]. While over 20 countries have signed onto the Board, key U.S. allies such as France and Germany abstained, reaffirming their support for the UN process [4][2].

Trump Positions Board as Potential UN Alternative President Trump pledged $10 billion from the United States for Gaza reconstruction and suggested the Board of Peace could eventually “replace” the United Nations, which he claims has underperformed [1][5]. Critics highlighted the limited membership, noting that most European powers, Russia and China declined to join [5][2]. Trump’s administration defended the initiative as “action, not talk,” emphasizing the pledged funds and planned security force [3][5].

Sources

Timeline

Oct 2025 – A Gaza ceasefire takes effect, marking the first stage of Trump’s 20‑point plan after Hamas’s 2023 attack and setting the backdrop for the Board of Peace initiative [12].

Jan 17 2026 – The White House sends invitation letters to world leaders, describing a “new International Organization and Transitional Governing Administration” that will resolve global conflicts beyond Gaza and noting that Trump will serve as chairman [24].

Jan 18 2026 – The administration announces that eight‑plus countries, including Hungary and Vietnam, have received invitations to become founding members of the Board of Peace [23].

Jan 19 2026 – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirms that President Putin has been invited to join the Gaza Board of Peace and that Moscow is studying the proposal’s details [11]; the White House also states that Russian President Putin has accepted the invitation, while Russia says it is still reviewing it [5].

Jan 20 2026 – Israel is invited to join the Board of Peace, while France declines participation, prompting Trump to threaten a “200 percent tariff” on French wine; Belarus’s Lukashenko also signals readiness to participate [22][10].

Jan 21 2026 – Seven Muslim‑majority states—Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan and Qatar—sign on, joining Israel and expanding the board’s roster; Trump says Putin has accepted the invitation, though Russia has not confirmed [2].

Jan 22 2026 – UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper says the United Kingdom will not be a signatory at the Davos ceremony, citing concerns over Putin’s involvement and the board’s legal implications [1]; Trump declares the board “might replace the UN” and outlines a $1 billion permanent‑seat contribution [4].

Jan 23 2026 – Trump unveils the Board of Peace at the Davos World Economic Forum, announcing invitations to roughly 60 nations, a $1 billion permanent‑seat fee, and noting that about 35 countries have already agreed to join [8].

Jan 27 2026 – The board expands to about two dozen members, including Egypt, Indonesia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE and others, while China and Russia remain unconfirmed and several European allies have declined [7].

Jan 29 2026 – Belarus formally accepts the invitation, becoming a founding member of the Board of Peace [6]; simultaneously, the board faces global rejection as only 26 of 60 invited states sign on, and UN Secretary‑General Guterres reasserts the Security Council’s primacy [17].

Feb 15 2026 – (Planned) The White House signals that an official list of board members will be announced at the upcoming Davos summit, finalizing the composition of the new peace body [21].

Feb 18 2026 – Trump convenes the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, running it like a cabinet session with representatives from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Hungary and Belarus, and pledges “billions” for Gaza reconstruction and thousands of troops for an International Stabilization Force [3][15].

Feb 18 2026 – The UN Security Council moves up its session to avoid clashing with Trump’s board meeting, urging a permanent Gaza ceasefire and condemning Israeli settlement expansion, while noting that over 20 countries have joined the Board [16].

Feb 19 2026 – The Board of Peace holds its first full session in Washington, with 27 member nations and EU observers; Trump announces a collective $7 billion pledge for Gaza relief, while board participants commit $5 billion toward reconstruction [13][14].

Feb 19 2026 – India attends the inaugural meeting as an observer, sending Chargé d’affaires Namgya Khampa, while remaining outside the board despite a prior invitation to Prime Minister Modi [25].

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