White House Plans Gaza Reconstruction Fundraiser in February

As reported by Arab News and originally cited by Axios, the White House is organizing the first leadership meeting for President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace on February 19. This initiative, which was launched by the President in late January, aims to address global conflicts with a specific initial focus on the situation in Gaza. The meeting is expected to serve as both a diplomatic summit and a fundraising conference to support the reconstruction of Gaza after months of intense conflict. The planned venue for this significant gathering is the US Institute of Peace in Washington. According to details from a US official and diplomats from several participating nations, the plans are still in their early stages and could be subject to change as the date approaches.

The Timing of High-Level Meetings

The schedule for the Board of Peace meeting aligns with other major diplomatic visits. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Trump at the White House on February 18, just one day before the peace board is set to convene. This back-to-back scheduling suggests a high-level coordination regarding the future of Gaza and the broader Middle East region. While the White House and the US State Department have not yet provided official comments on the specifics of the invitations, the board is already operating under a framework established by a UN Security Council resolution. This resolution, which was adopted in mid-November, authorized the board and its partner countries to establish an international stabilization force within Gaza.

Concerns Over International Governance

The Board of Peace has generated significant discussion among international policy experts and human rights organizations. Many experts have expressed concern that a board chaired by a single world leader to oversee foreign territories could undermine the traditional role of the United Nations. Some rights scholars have criticized the structure of the board, noting that it currently lacks Palestinian representation and resembles colonial-era administrative structures. President Trump has stated that his goal is to resolve conflicts that have persisted for decades, but the global reaction has been mixed. While several Middle Eastern allies of the United States have joined the initiative, many traditional Western allies have remained cautious and have not yet committed to joining the board’s activities.

The Context of the Gaza Conflict

The meeting comes at a critical time for the region. A fragile ceasefire, which began in October under a plan supported by both Israel and Hamas, has been repeatedly violated. Reports indicate that hundreds of people have been killed since the truce was established. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains a primary concern for the international community. Since the escalation began in late 2023, the population has faced a severe hunger crisis and widespread internal displacement. The Board of Peace intends to supervise temporary governance in the territory and manage the massive task of rebuilding destroyed infrastructure. However, the success of these plans depends on the continued cooperation of regional actors and the international community’s willingness to provide the necessary funding and political support during the upcoming February summit.