On February 19, 2026, the newly established 'Board of Peace' convened for its inaugural meeting in Washington, D.C., amid widespread skepticism from Palestinians regarding its efficacy in addressing their plight. The Board's agenda includes the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza, with President Trump claiming that $5 billion has already been raised for rebuilding efforts. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar expressed optimism, stating, 'If these are achieved, there will, for the first time, be a chance to move forward with a new reality in Gaza and the region.' However, many Gazans feel that the meeting is disconnected from their realities, with Emily Boyle from France24 noting, 'every day is worse than the one before' for residents still enduring severe hardships. Critics argue that the Board lacks genuine Palestinian representation, as highlighted by a participant who remarked, 'I would have loved to be there and share some of those broad thoughts,' indicating a desire for authentic Palestinian voices in the discussions.