In a nearly two-and-a-half-hour session that blended ceremony, diplomacy, and genuine hope, President Donald Trump on Wednesday convened the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C. — ushering in what many participants called a watershed moment in international conflict resolution and a new chapter for the long-suffering people of Gaza.

Representatives from more than 50 countries filled the hall, bringing with them pledges of money, troops, training, and political will. The result: over $17 billion committed to the reconstruction and stabilization of Gaza — the most sweeping international humanitarian coordination effort in years.

✦ What Is the Board of Peace?

The Board of Peace is designed as a coordinating body to oversee reconstruction, stabilization, and humanitarian delivery in Gaza following the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. In Trump’s vision, it will also serve as a broader forum for resolving global conflicts and ensuring accountability within international institutions, including the United Nations.

“We’re going to strengthen up the United Nations,” Trump said. “We’re going to make sure it’s viable.” He described the initiative as a mechanism to move beyond bureaucratic stagnation and bring real results to people on the ground — backed by the financial commitments of willing, peace-seeking nations.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that a resolution establishing “financial integrity and transparency” for the board’s work passed unanimously before Trump signed it — a promising sign that accountability will be central to this new chapter of global peacebuilding.

✦ Billions Pledged for Reconstruction

The financial response was extraordinary. Nine member states contributed pledges exceeding $7 billion, while the United States committed an additional $10 billion. Trump called it “a very small number compared to the cost of war” — a remark that underscored a deeper truth: investing in peace is always cheaper than enduring conflict.

✦ An International Stabilization Force

Beyond money, five nations stepped forward to contribute personnel to an International Stabilization Force (ISF) — a multinational security presence designed to help bring order and safety to Gaza as reconstruction begins. Plans call for an eventual deployment of up to 20,000 troops.

Egypt and Jordan committed to training a Palestinian police force, while Romania offered to provide medical treatment for 4,000 children and their families. These are concrete, compassionate acts of international solidarity that speak to the power of shared humanity.

✦ A Coalition Spanning the Globe

The breadth of nations present was itself a powerful statement. From Europe to Asia, the Americas to the Middle East, scores of governments chose to show up and stand for peace. Representatives came from:

Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s participation was particularly noteworthy — a signal that even nations with historically complicated relationships with the West see value in this new architecture for peace. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered a virtual address, pledging scholarships for 500 Gazan students and proposing a “President Trump’s award” for outstanding peace contributions.

✦ Hope for Gaza’s People

Ali Shaath, Chief Commissioner of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), delivered perhaps the meeting’s most grounding words: “Large parts of the Gaza Strip are severely damaged — destroyed actually. Humanitarian needs are acute, and law and order remain fragile.”

Yet his presence and his mandate were themselves a sign of hope. The NCAG’s priorities — deploying 5,000 Palestinian police officers within 60 days, restoring electricity, water, healthcare, and education, and reviving economic activity — represent a tangible roadmap from devastation to dignity.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also spoke, honoring fallen soldiers and expressing gratitude for the hostages who have returned home. He expressed hope that Trump’s leadership creates, “for the first time, an opportunity for a better future” — a remarkable statement from a nation that has endured so much pain.

✦ Iran and the Road Ahead

President Trump also indicated that a pivotal decision regarding Iran’s nuclear program may come within ten days. “Good talks” are underway even as a significant U.S. military presence in the region serves as a credible reminder that diplomacy is most effective when backed by strength.

“Now we may have to take it a step further, or we may not,” Trump said. “You’re going to be finding out over the next, probably, 10 days.” Those watching from a faith perspective will recall that patience and firm resolve are not contradictions — they are often twin pillars of lasting peace. More on this developing story: War or Peace? U.S.-Iran Standoff Reaches Breaking Point.

✦ A Faith Perspective

For readers of faith, the sight of more than 50 nations gathering around a shared commitment to peace — however imperfect, however contested — is a moment worthy of reflection and prayer. Scripture has long held that peacemakers are blessed; that the work of binding wounds, rebuilding homes, and restoring communities is holy work.

The road ahead is long. Ceasefires must hold. Funds must flow. Children must be fed and schooled. But in Washington on February 19, 2026, the world caught a glimpse of what becomes possible when nations choose to build rather than destroy. That, in itself, is reason for hope.

Faith & Freedom News will continue to cover developments from the Board of Peace, the ISF deployment, and the unfolding situation in Gaza and Iran. We invite our readers to pray for the people of Gaza, for the leaders gathered in Washington, and for the peace that the world so desperately needs.