White House plans first Gaza Peace Council meeting Feb. 19
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- The White House is preparing to convene the first meeting of the Gaza Peace Council on February 19, Axios reports.
- The meeting is expected to double as an international donor conference for Gaza Strip reconstruction.
The White House is planning to hold the first meeting of the Gaza Peace Council on February 19 as part of efforts to advance the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, according to Axios.
The outlet reported Saturday, citing a US official, that the gathering would mark the council’s inaugural session and would be structured as an international conference aimed at mobilizing funds for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. The official stressed that the plans remain preliminary and could change.
The White House declined to comment officially on the report.
Diplomatic outreach underway
According to Axios, the administration of President Donald Trump began contacting dozens of countries on Friday to invite their leaders and discuss logistical arrangements for the meeting.
The event is expected to be held at the US Institute of Peace in Washington.
The Gaza Peace Council currently includes 27 members and is chaired by Trump. It is tasked with overseeing the ceasefire, governance arrangements, and reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu visit under scrutiny
US officials are also closely watching the planned visit of 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington on February 18, one day before the scheduled council meeting.
If Netanyahu participates in the Gaza Peace Council, it would mark his first public meeting with Arab and Muslim leaders since the war began on October 7, according to Axios.
Ceasefire progress remains slow
Despite the start of the second phase of the truce, progress on the ground remains extremely slow.
The Israeli occupation has conditioned its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and approval of reconstruction on the disarmament of Hamas, a demand that continues to complicate negotiations and delay implementation.
