On Thursday, US President Donald Trump opened in Washington the first meeting of the “Peace Council,” which he formed primarily to reconstruct Gaza, while expanding his ambitions to resolve global conflicts, amid the participation of 47 countries and the announcement of contributions amounting to more than 17 billion dollars, in light of tension with Iran, as he gave it 10 days to reach a deal or “bad things” will happen.

Published on: 02/19/2026 - 15:35 Last updated: 02/20/2026 - 05:15

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US President Donald Trump chaired the opening of the first meeting of the “Peace Council” on Thursday in Washington, the body he created to focus primarily on the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, but its ambitions expanded to include resolving conflicts in the world.

The meeting came amid tension between the United States and Iran, despite the indirect negotiation between the two countries. In his speech during the meeting, Trump gave Tehran ten days to conclude a “meaningful deal” or face “bad things,” while Washington continues its military buildup in the Middle East.

Focus on Gaza and financial contributions

On the other hand, the meeting focused on Gaza. A total of 47 countries participated in it, some of which were members of the Council, in addition to the European Union in an “observer” capacity, and discussed reconstruction and ensuring stability in the Palestinian sector after the devastating war.

Trump stated that several countries, most of them from the Gulf, had pledged to provide “more than seven billion dollars” for the reconstruction of Gaza. He also announced an American contribution of $10 billion to the “Peace Council,” whose full mission remains shrouded in mystery.

The meeting was held at the Peace Institute, which was recently renamed after Donald Trump.

A new stability and police force

The meeting also discusses sending thousands of soldiers to form an international stabilization force in Gaza, in addition to establishing a new police force. Among the participants was Ali Shaath, head of the Palestinian National Committee charged with administering Gaza under the supervision of the “Peace Council.”

The meeting began with a group photo, while Trump's favorite songs from Elvis Presley to James Brown played in the background. The 79-year-old Republican president commented: “Does everyone love music?” He urged his guests to "smile."

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stood at the podium alongside Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani.

In a largely impromptu speech, the US President praised some allies such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Argentine President Javier Milley, who were present at the meeting.

Expert criticism

Bruce Jones, an expert at the Brookings Institution, told AFP that no one could explain exactly what a “peace council” was, speaking of “a vague mixture of ambition and narcissism unsupported by any effort to provide intellectual coherence.”

Trump is the absolute president of the Council, and the only one authorized to “invite” heads of state and government to participate in it, or to cancel their participation in it.

Max Rodenbeck, an expert at the International Crisis Group, said that “if this meeting does not produce quick and tangible results,” especially on the humanitarian level, “its credibility will quickly collapse.”

Despite the ceasefire entering into force in Gaza on October 10, bloody Israeli strikes on the Strip continue almost daily, while Israel and Hamas exchange accusations of violating the truce.

UN "monitoring"?

The Council's breadth of goals has raised fears that the United States will seek to make it an alternative to the United Nations. The US President expressed his regret, saying that the United Nations "has great potential" but "it never realized it." He pointed out that the "Peace Council" will "monitor" the United Nations and "ensure its proper functioning."

Membership and international divisions

Permanent members of the Peace Council must pay $1 billion in membership fees. Leaders ideologically aligned with Trump have joined the council, as well as countries concerned about the future of Gaza or eager to curry favor with the US president. Most of Washington's major allies and opponents alike abstained from joining the Council as founding members.

However, Europe is divided regarding the position that should be adopted, as some countries participate in this first meeting in an “observer” capacity, such as Italy and Germany, which is the position that the European Union as a whole adopted by sending Commissioner Dubravka Sojka to attend.

This Brussels decision sparked criticism from France, Belgium, Spain and Ireland. Trump withdrew the invitation extended to Canada to participate in the Council, while the Vatican, for its part, refused to participate.

China received an invitation, but did not express any intention to participate, and repeatedly expressed its adherence to a global order with the United Nations as its pillar.

France 24/AFP

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