Trump to appoint son-in-law as peace envoy. Tajani: 'Permanent member Italia? Not possible"

"We will restore Gaza, make it prosperous and safe. And maybe we will also take it a step further, where we see hotbeds around the world, we can probably do it very easily. This is an extraordinary group of powerful and brilliant people. And I think we can do things that a lot of other people wouldn't even be able to conceive or think about." US President Donald Trump said this in his closing remarks at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace.

"We're going to help Gaza, we're going to get it back on track, we're going to make it prosperous, we're going to make it peaceful, and we're going to do similar things in other places," Trump continued. "Outbreaks will arise, things will happen that no one is thinking about now and that are not even conceivable. But we will take care of a lot of things and work with the United Nations again and bring it back to health. It needs help. It has enormous potential, but it needs a lot of help. And I think we can start doing that very soon. But the most important thing for today is that we will make Gaza an example of success, security and unity,' the US president concluded. The meeting closed to the notes of Ymca, the Village People song that was the soundtrack of Trump's election rallies.

Donald Trump intends to appoint his son-in-law Jared Kushner as special envoy for peace. This was announced by the US president himself at the Board of Peace meeting for Gaza in Washington. Trump anticipated that Kushner will focus on mediating new diplomatic agreements and praised his previous role in Middle East negotiations, including the Abrahamic Accords. 'A very smart guy. We are also appointing Jared as peace envoy. They are both peace envoys, and I tell you what. I watch them, I say, at least we're protected from an IQ perspective," Trump said referring to Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who is already a special envoy of the president.

Contrary to what Donald Trump implied in his speech at the first Board of Peace meeting in Washington, Norway does not intend to take part in the initiative in any way, but will merely host a meeting for donors to Palestine. Trump had said he was "thrilled to announce that Norway has agreed to host an event that will bring the Board of Peace together", but the Oslo-based Foreign Ministry made it clear in a note that it would not take part in the Board, limiting itself to hosting a meeting of the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee for aid to the Palestinians, a body that Norway has led for decades, in the spring.

"Hungary is the only country represented here at the highest level among the founding members of the European Union," said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in his speech during the opening day of the Board of Peace. "We all know that this war would not have broken out if President Trump had been in office at that time," Orban reiterated, speaking about the conflict in Ukraine. "However, the return of President Trump to office has provided a great opportunity to multiply peace efforts, not only in Gaza, but also in Ukraine," Orban continued.

The notes of Umberto Tozzi's song 'Gloria', in the version by American artist Laura Branigan, accompanied Donald Trump's arrival on stage for the Board of Peace's ritual photo. "Does everybody like this music? It's good music,' the host then commented surrounded by the other leaders, while in the background another song was heard that seemed to be November Rain by Guns N' Roses.

Indonesia will contribute 8,000 or more soldiers to the international security force for Gaza, said President Prabowo Subianto during a meeting of US President Donald Trump's Peace Council.

US President Donald Trump announced that he intends to speak with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres shortly, while emphasising that the US administration is working 'very closely' with the UN in the framework of the international initiative on Gaza governance 'Board of Peace'. The announcement was made in the opening address of the inaugural meeting of the new Washington-sponsored body to coordinate assistance, security and reconstruction in the Strip. "I'm actually going to talk to the secretary general in a little while," Trump said, highlighting cooperation with the UN system. The president's words come as speculation emerges about a possible alternative or even replacement role of the Board of Peace to the UN in international crisis management.

Bulgarian politician and diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, currently the Director General of the Gaza Board of Peace, today announced the creation of the Office of the High Representative for Gaza. The High Representative "will be there to support, guide and assist the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, hoping to remove the obstacles they face in taking over civilian and administrative control of the Gaza Strip," said the Bulgarian diplomat. The office will operate in "full transparency" and in close coordination with Israel and "Palestinian institutions".

The potential of the Gaza Strip 'has always been enormous', former British Prime Minister Tony Blair told the Board of Peace in his speech, emphasising the peculiarities that make Gaza a place ripe for future prosperity. "25 miles of Mediterranean coastline, proximity to major regional and global markets, and a young and dynamic population with a median age of 19," Blair explained, adding that Trump's plan looks at Gaza "not as it is, but as it should be". "Not a fictitious declaration, nor agreements that no one intends to abide by, but a genuine commitment to a region where, whether you are a Muslim, a Christian of any faith or a non-believer, you can move forward through your own efforts and feel your government at your side, supporting you," Blair specified.

L'ex primo ministro britannico Tony Blair e l'ambasciatore statunitense presso le Nazioni Unite Mike Waltz partecipano alla riunione inaugurale del Consiglio di pace presso l'Istituto statunitense per la pace a Washington, D.C., Stati Uniti, il 19 febbraio 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

"The situation in Gaza was impossible to resolve within the existing structures of the United Nations". This was stated by US President Donald Trump, speaking at the Board of Peace meeting in Washington. "This situation in Gaza was impossible to resolve under the existing orthodoxy and structures. So we made sure that we went to the UN, got approval to create this group and bring these nations together, to find very specific solutions to a very unique and specific problem," he explained. "We still have a long way to go. There is a lot of work to complete. It will require input from every state represented here today," Trump added, stressing that "we have to do things the right way. There is no plan B for Gaza. Plan B is to go back to war. Nobody here wants that. The only way forward is to rebuild Gaza in a way that ensures a lasting and sustainable peace, where everyone can live side by side without ever having to fear a return to conflict, war, human suffering and destruction'.

The countries that have offered soldiers for the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza are Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania, US General Jasper Jeffers, commander of the force, announced to the Board of peace. His deputy will be Indonesia.

US President Donald Trump, during his speech at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, expressed that Hamas, in his view, 'will give up their weapons'. "If they do not, they will be dealt with harshly," Trump specified, adding that "credit must be given to Hamas" for locating and returning all the bodies of Israeli prisoners in Gaza.

"Almost all countries have accepted" the invitation to join the Board of Peace and those that have not "will do so". This was stated by the US President, Donald Trump, at the Board of Peace meeting underway in Washington. "Some are being a little bit clever but it doesn't work," he added, "you can't be clever with me.

- Donald Trump offered one of his strongest endorsements to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a long-standing ally who is in trouble on the eve of the 12 April elections. The US president affirmed his 'complete and total' support for Orban during the first meeting of his Board of Peace initiative in Washington DC. "Not everyone in Europe appreciates this support, but that's OK," Trump told Orban and the other leaders present. "He is doing an incredible job. He's done an incredible job on immigration."

With Orban trailing the opposition in most polls, he sought Trump's support to boost his campaign for a fifth consecutive term. Trump's statements follow those of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who praised Orban on Monday during a visit to Budapest, saying that the Hungarian leader's re-election is in the US national interest.

"The Board of Peace will almost be a monitor of the United Nations to make sure that it is functioning properly". This was stated by US President Donald Trump during the first meeting in Washington of the Board of Peace, while saying he was confident that the UN 'will one day be much stronger'.

Peace turned into a talent show. Complete with selected jury, calibrated invitations and director in the cockpit. The "Board of Peace" gathered today in Washington looks like this: a global stage where diplomacy stops being institutional architecture and becomes a proprietary format.

Peace as a franchise. International order as a personal spin-off. If the UN was an imperfect but collective edifice, here we are looking at a trademarked TV studio. It was supposed to be born for Gaza. It was supposed to be the innovative answer to one of the most lacerating conflicts of our time. And instead Gazait is just one of the items on the Trumpian menu. It is an almost didactic paradox: you create a Board of Peace for a war and immediately afterwards expand the scope. Like founding a fire brigade and then discussing street furniture.

Donald Trump announced at the Board of Peace that a number of countries had pledged a total of over seven billion dollars.

- The Board of Peace for Gaza is the 'most important board ever in terms of power and prestige'. This was stated by US President Donald Trump speaking at the group's first meeting in Washington. "We are doing something very simple: peace. An easy word to say but hard to produce. We are doing very good work,' he added.

Donald Trump is for now digressing from the topic of Gaza to the Board of peace, talking about the economy, tariffs, listing and praising the leaders present, the relations he has with each, even boasting about the endorsement he gave to some of them, such as Milei and Orban.

"There is nothing more important than peace and there is nothing cheaper than peace. You know, when you go to war, it costs a hundred times more than it costs to make peace." This was stated by US President Donald Trump speaking at the first meeting in Washington of the Board of Peace for Gaza.

"The IDF will remain in the security zone in Gaza forever": this was stated by Defence Minister Israel Katz speaking at the official end-of-course ceremony. "We decapitated the leadership of the Houthi terrorist organisation in Yemen and removed the threats of destruction against the State of Israel in the Iran operation. We will not allow threats of annihilation against Israel in the future either, and we will act against any threat, near or far." "I say to all our enemies: do not test us or our resolve," he added.

"It is a great day" and "what we are doing is very simple: peace. Peace is an easy word to say, but a difficult word to produce". Donald Trump said this as he opened the Board of Peace meeting for Gaza in Washington.

Portugal lets it be known that it might attend Donald Trump's Board of Peace meetings as an observer, but only when the topic is peace or the reconstruction of Gaza. Government sources told Lusa news agency. "As far as Gaza is concerned, Portugal could make itself available, again as an observer, to participate in moments that allow the peace or reconstruction process to be consolidated," the statement read

The figure provided by the Ministry of Health of the Gaza Strip on deaths registered between 7 October 2023 and 5 January 2025, i.e. 49,090 violent deaths, 'was 34.7 per cent lower than our estimate'. This was the conclusion of the 'first independent survey' of mortality in the Palestinian enclave published in the journal The Lancet Global Health.

"We estimated 75,200 violent deaths between 7 October 2023 and 5 January 2025, representing approximately 3.4 per cent of the Gaza Strip's pre-conflict population. Women, children (i.e. under the age of 18) and the elderly (i.e. over the age of 64) account for 56.2% of violent deaths, totalling 42,200 deaths," the journal states. "The Ministry of Health's figure for this period (49,090 violent deaths) is 34.7% lower than our main estimate.

France said it was surprised that the European Commission had sent an official to the Peace Council in Washington, saying it had no mandate to represent member states, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said. Speaking to reporters, Pascal Confavreux said that as far as Paris was concerned, the Peace Council had to refocus on Gaza, in line with a UN Security Council resolution, and that until that ambiguity was resolved, France would not participate. "As for the European Commission and its participation, we are actually surprised because it does not have a mandate from the Council to participate," he said.

A small crowd of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the Donald Trump Institute of Peace where the president will shortly open the first Board of Peace meeting for Gaza. Some of the protesters waved large signs that read: 'Donald Trump, go to hell'.

France argues that the Board of Peace should be refocused on Gaza in line with the UN Security Council resolution. This was stated by the Foreign Minister's spokesman.

Dozens of Palestinian journalists detained in Israel during the war in Gaza have been subjected to terrible conditions, including physical assault, forced stress positions, sensory deprivation, sexual violence and medical neglect. This was reported by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which documented the detention of at least 94 Palestinian journalists and one media worker during the war in Gaza. This includes 32 journalists and one media worker from Gaza, 60 from the West Bank and 2 from Israel. Thirty of the journalists are still in custody, the CPJ said.

The Trump administration is reportedly planning to build a military base in the Gaza Strip capable of housing up to 5,000 people, on an area of 1.5 square kilometres. This was revealed by the Guardian, which cites documents and procurement records of the Board of Peace viewed exclusively. According to the files examined by the British newspaper, the site should become an operational base for the future International Stabilisation Force (ISF), a multinational force composed of contingents provided by various countries. The ISF would fall within the framework of the Board of Peace, the body created to administer Gaza after the war. The documents envisage a phased construction of an outpost with a final extension of about 1,400 metres by 1,100 metres, surrounded by barbed wire and protected by 26 armoured observation towers mounted on trailers. The complex would include bunkers, a small arms range and a warehouse for military vehicles and equipment. The base would be built in a flat and barren area in the south of the Strip, now marked by rubble and the remnants of Israeli shelling. A source close to the dossier told the Guardian that a small group of international companies, with experience in war zones, had already surveyed the site.