Scoop: White House plans Board of Peace meeting in D.C. on Gaza reconstruction

The White House is organizing a meeting for the Gaza "Board of Peace" on February 19th, intending to advance the ceasefire's second phase and secure reconstruction funds. This meeting is in its early planning stages and could still undergo changes, with the White House remaining silent on the matter. The Board, chaired by Trump, currently comprises 27 members and was authorized by the UN Security Council. The aim is for the board to oversee the ceasefire implementation, governance and reconstruction efforts. The Trump administration has invited numerous world leaders to attend the meeting at the Institute of Peace. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Trump the day before, and his participation in the board meeting will be significant. The second phase of the ceasefire is proceeding slowly, with limited progress on opening the Rafah crossing and the Palestinian government's entry into Gaza. The US and other mediators are trying to negotiate a demilitarization agreement with Hamas, crucial for Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction. The US aims to eliminate Hamas's military infrastructure, supervised by international monitors, and offer a program to buy back weapons. However, Netanyahu holds a skeptical view of the US plan for Gaza and the time frame of demilitarization.