"Axios": The White House is Holding a Meeting for Leaders of the "Peace Council" for Gaza on February 19

SadaNews - The American news site "Axios" reported today, Saturday, that the White House plans to hold a meeting for the leaders in the "Peace Council" regarding Gaza on February 19, according to a U.S. official and diplomats from four member countries of the council.

The site pointed out that the White House wants to use the meeting to push forward the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, and to raise funds for reconstruction.

A U.S. official stated: "This will be the first meeting of the Peace Council and a conference to raise donations for the reconstruction of Gaza," noting that the plans for holding the summit are still in the early stages and may be subject to change.

It noted that the council currently consists of 27 members, chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump, and it has been authorized by the United Nations Security Council to oversee the implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza and to work on governance and reconstruction.

The site explained that the Trump administration began, since last Friday, to communicate with dozens of countries to invite their leaders, discuss logistical matters, and plan to hold the meeting at the Institute for Peace, which Trump recently renamed in his honor.

One source said: "Nothing has been confirmed yet, but the administration is planning for it and has started checking on the leaders who are able to attend."

Earlier, Trump, along with several world leaders, launched the first charter of what is called the "Peace Council" at a massive signing ceremony in the Swiss resort of Davos.

While the initial goal of the council focused on managing the Gaza file, Trump expanded its powers to include addressing global conflicts, amid European concerns that the new entity might turn into an alternative that undermines the role of the United Nations, according to "Reuters".

The "Peace Council" faces a difficult test in gaining broad international legitimacy; while Trump heads its board, none of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have committed to joining it so far, except for Washington.