A reconstruction plan, a stabilization force, and high-stakes diplomacy — Gaza moves to the top of Washington’s agenda.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar will attend U.S. President Donald Trump’s first formal Board of Peace meeting in Washington on February 19, according to two Israeli officials.
U.S. officials said Trump is expected to unveil a multi-billion-dollar reconstruction plan for Gaza and outline details of a proposed United Nations-authorized stabilization force for the Palestinian territory. The board’s creation was endorsed by a United Nations Security Council resolution as part of broader efforts to end the Gaza war.
Delegations from at least 20 countries, including several heads of state, are expected to attend. While regional Middle Eastern nations and emerging powers have joined the initiative, some traditional Western allies have approached the plan more cautiously.
The meeting comes amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which took effect in October under a framework advanced by the Trump administration. Despite the truce, intermittent violence has continued, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
A key element of the proposal involves deploying an International Stabilization Force as Israeli troops withdraw further and Hamas disarms. U.S. officials said several countries are prepared to contribute thousands of troops to the force, which could deploy in the coming months.
Hamas has rejected calls to surrender its weapons, while Israel has warned that it would act militarily if disarmament does not occur voluntarily.
The Washington meeting is expected to clarify the structure of the stabilization force and the scope of Gaza’s reconstruction effort, marking a new phase in diplomatic attempts to shape the territory’s postwar future.
