According to reports, the first meeting is scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., on February 19, with U.S. officials and diplomats from four participating countries expected to attend. The gathering will also serve as a fundraising event aimed at mobilising international support for Gaza’s reconstruction under a U.S.-led peace initiative.

The Board of Peace was created by President Trump to oversee peace building and governance mechanisms in Gaza, operating under what the administration has described as a new international framework for conflict resolution. While details of the board’s mandate and membership remain limited, officials say discussions are ongoing regarding additional participants and long-term structures.

Reports have also suggested that the Board of Peace could eventually assume responsibilities traditionally handled by multilateral institutions, fuelling speculation that it may seek to replace or bypass existing United Nations mechanisms a claim that has not been formally confirmed by U.S. authorities.

If Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the meeting, it would mark his first engagement with Arab and Muslim leaders since the October 7, 2023 attacks, a development analysts say could carry significant diplomatic weight.

The upcoming meeting comes amid heightened international focus on Gaza’s future governance, regional stability, and the role of global powers in shaping a post-conflict political order.

The proposed Board of Peace would see member states serve three-year terms, with an unusual provision allowing countries to secure permanent membership by contributing $1 billion toward funding the board’s activities. The structure has drawn significant attention in diplomatic and political circles, both for its ambitious mandate and its unconventional funding model.

The reported nomination of Russia to the board has sparked debate in Washington, given Moscow’s strained relations with the United States and its involvement in multiple global conflicts. When asked about President Trump’s decision to invite Russia, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed the issue, underscoring the sensitivity of including Russia in a U.S.-led peace initiative tied to the Gaza conflict.

The creation of the Board of Peace comes amid ongoing violence in Gaza and stalled international efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire. Trump has framed the initiative as a platform to bring together major global and regional powers to coordinate diplomatic pressure, reconstruction efforts, and long term stability measures.

Critics, however, have questioned both the legitimacy and feasibility of the board, raising concerns about its governance, the role of financial contributions in determining membership status, and the inclusion of states with contested human rights and conflict records. Supporters argue that broad participation, including from geopolitical rivals, is necessary to achieve durable peace outcomes.

As invitations continue to be extended and accepted, the Board of Peace is emerging as a potentially significant and controversial new element of U.S.-driven diplomacy on Gaza, with its final composition and authority likely to shape international reactions in the weeks ahead.