Today, Washington is set to host what could be a pivotal moment in shaping Gaza’s future. The inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace will take place under Donald Trump’s leadership, gathering representatives from over 45 nations to work on turning a fragile ceasefire into a solid plan for recovery and stability.

The scale of participation will itself signal the seriousness of this initiative. Countries from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond—including Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Indonesia—will sit down together to tackle issues of reconstruction, security, and governance in Gaza. This wide-ranging involvement will highlight that the responsibility for peace is a shared one, not just resting on a single capital.

The countries sending representatives to tomorrow's Board of Peace meeting, per senior admin official pic.twitter.com/8RxBCAhO5h — Elizabeth Hagedorn (@ElizHagedorn) February 18, 2026

The countries sending representatives to tomorrow's Board of Peace meeting, per senior admin official pic.twitter.com/8RxBCAhO5h

— Elizabeth Hagedorn (@ElizHagedorn) February 18, 2026

At the core of today’s discussions are three vital priorities: rebuilding the devastated infrastructure in Gaza, ensuring a steady flow of humanitarian aid, and putting in place reliable security measures to prevent a relapse into conflict. More than 25 member states from the Board of Peace have pledged over $5 billion for humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts. Additional details about the reconstruction fund’s size, structure, and oversight will be outlined during the session.

The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says President Donald Trump will host a Board of Peace meeting on Thursday where member states are expected to pledge more than 5 billion dollars toward Gaza humanitarian and reconstruction efforts. pic.twitter.com/SJuzkaNBZU — Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) February 18, 2026

The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says President Donald Trump will host a Board of Peace meeting on Thursday where member states are expected to pledge more than 5 billion dollars toward Gaza humanitarian and reconstruction efforts. pic.twitter.com/SJuzkaNBZU

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) February 18, 2026

Security will form another critical pillar. Thousands of personnel will have been committed for deployment as part of a stabilisation mechanism designed to support local policing and protect key installations across the Gaza Strip. The aim will be to create a secure environment in which reconstruction can proceed without disruption. Discussions are also expected to address the sensitive issue of Hamas disarmament—an element that will require careful diplomacy and clear parameters to ensure stability without deepening tensions.

Today’s summit will bring together influential American and international leaders for some important addresses. Alongside President Trump, we’ll hear from Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, Tony Blair, Steve Witkoff, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, and Board of Peace Director-General Nickolay Mladenov, who will outline the way forward. Their speeches are expected to focus on how to align financial commitments with operational planning and reinforce the Board’s mandate under international authorization.

Hungary is making its stance clear, with Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirming the country’s full support for Donald Trump’s peace initiatives. The strategy is straightforward: keep Hungary out of the fighting while backing any serious international effort to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Since security in Central Europe is so closely tied to global stability, Szijjártó noted that they didn’t hesitate to join the initiative. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is expected to drive that point home, framing these diplomatic efforts as a much-needed glimmer of hope in an increasingly volatile landscape.

????????????????‍???????????????? @FM_Szijjarto said Hungary will stand by President @realDonaldTrump’s peace efforts at Thursday’s founding meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, stressing that Hungary’s foreign policy strategy focuses on staying out of the war. He added that @PM_ViktorOrban will… pic.twitter.com/jXLjCL1cMB — Zoltan Kovacs (@zoltanspox) February 18, 2026

????????????????‍???????????????? @FM_Szijjarto said Hungary will stand by President @realDonaldTrump’s peace efforts at Thursday’s founding meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, stressing that Hungary’s foreign policy strategy focuses on staying out of the war. He added that @PM_ViktorOrban will… pic.twitter.com/jXLjCL1cMB

— Zoltan Kovacs (@zoltanspox) February 18, 2026

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar met with US Ambassador Mike Waltz in New York to coordinate on regional strategy. Their discussion centered on the urgent need for UN reform and the upcoming “Board of Peace” summit. Sa’ar, who is set to represent Israel at the summit today, emphasized that the diplomatic bond between the two nations has reached a new level of strength, signaling a unified front on both security and institutional change.

Great meeting in NYC with @USAmbUN Mike Waltz, ahead of today's UN Security Council session on the Middle East. I thanked the Ambassador for his support for Israel at the UN.We discussed the necessity of UN reform as well as @POTUS Trump's Board of Peace summit, which I'll have… pic.twitter.com/OKoYFmg57X — Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) February 18, 2026

Great meeting in NYC with @USAmbUN Mike Waltz, ahead of today's UN Security Council session on the Middle East. I thanked the Ambassador for his support for Israel at the UN.We discussed the necessity of UN reform as well as @POTUS Trump's Board of Peace summit, which I'll have… pic.twitter.com/OKoYFmg57X

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) February 18, 2026

For Pakistan, participation in today’s gathering will carry both moral and strategic weight. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Washington to attend the Board of Peace meeting. Accompanying him in the Pakistani delegation are Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reaches Washington DC to attend the inaugural session of Board of Peace. (Washington: 19 February, 2026) pic.twitter.com/0NcNsJglDr — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) February 19, 2026

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reaches Washington DC to attend the inaugural session of Board of Peace.

(Washington: 19 February, 2026) pic.twitter.com/0NcNsJglDr

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) February 19, 2026

The Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in the Board of Peace session today, with meetings with senior US officials also expected during the visit. The trip reflects Pakistan’s engagement in global peace efforts and highlights the country’s growing diplomatic outreach on the international stage.

Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani has arrived in Washington for the inaugural Peace Board meeting. As one of the initiative’s co-founders, Osmani is focused on strengthening ties with global leaders to drive regional stability and shared prosperity, signaling Kosovo’s commitment to a proactive role in international peace-building efforts.

At the invitation of @POTUS @realDonaldTrump, we have arrived in Washington, D.C. for the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, representing the Republic of Kosovo as a Founding Member State. Together with our strategic ally, the United States, and fellow leaders from around… pic.twitter.com/kF21jQRfbd — Vjosa Osmani (@VjosaOsmaniPRKS) February 18, 2026

At the invitation of @POTUS @realDonaldTrump, we have arrived in Washington, D.C. for the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, representing the Republic of Kosovo as a Founding Member State.

Together with our strategic ally, the United States, and fellow leaders from around… pic.twitter.com/kF21jQRfbd

— Vjosa Osmani (@VjosaOsmaniPRKS) February 18, 2026

The significance of this first meeting will lie not merely in announcements, but in direction. If funding mechanisms are structured transparently, if stabilisation forces are anchored in a clear chain of command, and if humanitarian corridors are safeguarded, today’s summit will set in motion a coordinated recovery process.

The road ahead for Gaza is bound to be challenging, and we must approach our expectations with a sense of realism. Still, diplomacy often kicks off with a single, intentional step. As the Board of Peace meets for the first time, it carries the potential that ongoing multilateral cooperation—backed by resources, security assurances, and a strong political will—can help redefine Gaza’s future.

If momentum is maintained beyond today’s proceedings, this inaugural session will not simply mark the start of another international forum. It will stand as the moment when the world chose to move from ceasefire to renewal.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)