Gaza Peace Deal Advances as Trump Secures Ceasefire and International Support
Washington D.C. – A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered by the Trump administration, is moving forward despite ongoing tensions, with a newly formed Board of Peace seeking to rebuild war-ravaged Gaza. The agreement, designed to pause fighting unleashed by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, hinges on a complete cessation of hostilities and the eventual demilitarization of Gaza, according to statements from both sides.
Ceasefire Terms and International Involvement
The “first phase” of President Trump’s peace plan centers on a hostage release and a pause in fighting. The deal came after a “weekslong diplomacy blitz and a whole lot of help from some Arab and Muslim allies,” according to the Associated Press . Hamas has stipulated that any political process or arrangements for Gaza’s future must begin with a complete end to Israeli “aggression,” the lifting of the blockade, and a guarantee of Palestinian national rights, including self-determination.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that reconstruction of Gaza will not begin until Hamas is disarmed. He did not attend the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington on Thursday, February 19, 2026, but was represented by Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
Several countries, primarily from the Gulf region, have pledged over $7 billion towards rebuilding the Palestinian territory. President Trump announced that countries committed to providing troops for the International Stabilization Force (ISF) include Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania.
Indonesia’s Role in the Stabilization Force
Indonesia has stepped forward as a key contributor to the ISF, offering to deploy up to 1,000 soldiers in April, with the potential to increase to 8,000 by the end of June . This commitment would make Indonesia’s contribution one of the largest to any peacekeeping mission globally, pending final approval from President Prabowo.
Challenges and Ongoing Concerns
The Council on Foreign Relations notes that the peace plan, a twenty-point document, was initially set in motion with a ceasefire on October 9, 2025. However, implementation has been fraught with challenges, including delays in hostage returns and accusations of fraudulent remains being handed over by Hamas. An Israeli strike on a Gaza hospital on February 2, 2026, which resulted in the deaths of nineteen Palestinians, was cited by Hamas as a violation of the ceasefire.
As of February 10, 2026, the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry estimated the death toll in Gaza to exceed 71,000 Palestinians, with many more presumed dead under rubble. The Israel Defense Forces disputes this figure.
Trump’s Approach and Previous Efforts
President Trump’s success in securing this ceasefire contrasts with previous attempts, as highlighted by the BBC . His established relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu and his history with Muslim leaders are believed to have been instrumental in garnering support for the deal.
The Board of Peace, convened by President Trump, held its inaugural session on February 19, 2026, bringing together world leaders to discuss the governance of postwar Gaza.