In Gaza, Trump’s Board of Peace met with deep scepticism, little hope
In war-ravaged Gaza, residents question whether Trump’s Board of Peace will deliver real security.

In war-ravaged Gaza, residents question whether Trump’s Board of Peace will deliver real security.








![A police officer talks to demonstrators wearing masks depicting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and US President Donald Trump, during a protest near the U.S. Institute of Peace building, on the day of the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, in Washington, DC, US on Feb. 19, 2026. [Jonathan Ernst/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image-1771529902.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)

“Board of Peace” convenes after decades of inaction on Palestinian demands to end the Israeli occupation.
![Palestinian man Omar al-Masri in Khan Younis, Gaza on February 19, 2026. [Screenshot via Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-19T172032Z_1_LWD693819022026RP1_RTRWNEV_C_6938-ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-GAZA-TRUMP-BOARD-REAX_cropped-1771527343.jpg?resize=730%2C410&quality=80)
Many Palestinians in Gaza reacted to the first meeting of the so-called “Board of Peace” with deep scepticism.
Israel is seeking to achieve through paperwork what warfare alone could not.
![U.S. Major General Jasper Jeffers attends the inaugural Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 19, 2026. [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-19T161301Z_686880446_RC22PJAAN9K7_RTRMADP_3_ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-GAZA-TRUMP-BOARD_cropped-1771519395.jpg?resize=730%2C410&quality=80)
US Major General Jasper Jeffers said the Gaza “International Stabilization Force” will first deploy to Rafah.
Intensified attacks, methodical destruction of entire neighbourhoods appear aimed at permanent displacement, UN says.

Israeli forces carried out violent raids across the occupied West Bank, detaining Palestinians and demolishing homes.

On Centre Stage, Global News Insight’s Mohamed Hassan speaks with UNRWA’s commissioner general, Philippe Lazzarini.
Billions of dollars have been spent, directly and indirectly, by Israel since starting its military operations in Gaza in October 2023.
CPJ report shares harrowing accounts of dozens of Palestinian journalists jailed by Israel since October 2023.