Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar is set to attend US President Donald Trump’s first official meeting of the Board of Peace on February 19, Israeli officials confirmed. Israel officially joined the board during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent visit to Washington, marking a key step in regional peace diplomacy.
Netanyahu signed Israel’s accession to the Board of Peace in a formal ceremony with US Secretary of State Marc Rubio, posting the announcement on X. The move signals Israel’s active participation in multilateral efforts to stabilise Gaza following two years of conflict that devastated the enclave.
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US officials said President Trump will unveil a multi-billion dollar reconstruction plan for Gaza during the meeting, while also detailing a United Nations-authorized International Stabilization Force. Delegations from at least 20 countries, including heads of state, are expected to attend, representing regional powers and emerging nations supportive of the initiative.
Middle Eastern countries including Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, alongside Indonesia and other emerging nations, have joined the board. Traditional Western allies, however, remain cautious, reflecting geopolitical sensitivities around Gaza’s reconstruction and the enforcement of lasting ceasefire agreements.
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The meeting will focus on post-war Gaza, where conflict has left widespread destruction, killing over 590 Palestinians—many civilians—and four Israeli soldiers. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of ceasefire violations, and Trump’s plan emphasizes coordinated disarmament and reconstruction efforts.
As part of the plan, several countries have pledged troops for the International Stabilization Force to oversee Gaza’s recovery, including Israeli troop withdrawals and the eventual disarmament of Hamas. Israel has warned that if Hamas does not disarm voluntarily, forceful measures may be implemented to ensure compliance.