White House Reportedly Planning Historic Gaza 'Board of Peace' Summit on February 19
The White House is currently in the preliminary stages of organizing a significant leaders meeting for the Gaza "Board of Peace" scheduled for February 19, according to information from a US official and diplomats representing four member countries of the board who spoke to Axios. This development marks a crucial step in international efforts to address the ongoing situation in Gaza.
Strategic Objectives of the Planned Summit
With this high-level gathering, the White House aims to achieve two primary objectives: pushing forward the implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and raising substantial funds for the massive reconstruction effort required in the war-ravaged territory. A US official specifically described the event to Axios as "the first Board of Peace meeting and a fundraising conference for Gaza reconstruction."
Important to note: The plans for this summit are still in early development phases and could potentially undergo changes before finalization. As of now, there has been no official confirmation or detailed information released directly from the White House regarding these arrangements.
Key Developments to Monitor
Axios has reported that Israeli officials indicate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on February 18, just one day before the planned Board of Peace gathering. This timing has generated significant interest among observers and diplomats.
While Netanyahu has accepted Trump's invitation for Israel to join the board, he has not yet signed the board's charter. If the Israeli Prime Minister does participate in the Board of Peace meeting, it would represent his first public meeting with Arab and Muslim leaders since before the October 7 attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza began.
Background: Trump's 'Board of Peace' Initiative
US President Donald Trump unveiled his much-anticipated Gaza 'Board of Peace' initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos during January of this year. During his announcement, Trump claimed there was a firm commitment to ensure Gaza would be demilitarized and "beautifully rebuilt" following the conflict.
The initiative has faced considerable skepticism from various quarters. Most Western allies have declined to join the board, partly because the charter grants the board an exceptionally broad mandate and gives President Trump veto power over its decisions. Some allies have expressed concerns that Trump might be attempting to establish an alternative to the United Nations Security Council through this mechanism.
According to a senior administration official quoted by AFP, of the 60 nations invited to join the Board of Peace, 35 had agreed to sign on to the project, indicating substantial international participation despite the reservations expressed by some Western countries.
Global Participation and India's Role
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the world leaders invited by President Trump to participate in the Gaza Board of Peace initiative. US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, personally conveyed Trump's invitation letter to Prime Minister Modi and shared details of the communication on social media platform X.
Gor stated: "Honored to convey @POTUS invitation to Prime Minister @narendramodi to participate in the Board of Peace which will bring lasting peace to Gaza. The Board will support effective governance to achieve stability and prosperity!"
In his invitation letter to Prime Minister Modi, President Trump wrote: "It is my Great Honor to invite you, as Prime Minister of the Republic of India, to join me in a critically historic and Magnificent effort to solidify Peace in the Middle East and, at the same time, to embark on a bold new approach to resolving Global Conflict!"
The Mandate and Role of the Board of Peace
The Peace Board is expected to oversee Gaza's post-war transition as the ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025, moves into its second phase. The board's comprehensive mandate is set to include several critical components:
- Formation of a new Palestinian committee in Gaza to facilitate governance
- Deployment of an international security force to maintain stability
- Disarmament of Hamas and other militant groups in the territory
- Coordination and oversight of reconstruction efforts for the war-damaged region
This multifaceted approach aims to address both immediate humanitarian needs and longer-term stability concerns in Gaza, representing what proponents describe as a comprehensive strategy for post-conflict recovery and peacebuilding in the region.
