UN Security Council to Hold High-Level Meeting on Gaza Before Trump's Board of Peace Convenes

The U.N. session was moved up to avoid conflicting with the Board of Peace meeting in Washington.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The U.N. Security Council is set to hold a high-level meeting on Wednesday to discuss the Gaza ceasefire deal and Israel's efforts to expand control in the West Bank, before world leaders head to Washington to discuss the future of the Palestinian territories at the first gathering of President Donald Trump's Board of Peace.

Why it matters

The back-to-back meetings this week highlight the potential for overlapping and conflicting agendas between the U.N. Security Council and Trump's new Board of Peace initiative, which some countries fear may attempt to rival the U.N.'s role in mediating global conflicts.

The details

The U.N. session was originally scheduled for Thursday but was moved up after Trump announced the Board of Peace meeting for the same date, to avoid complicating travel plans for diplomats planning to attend both. The Security Council meeting will include briefings by U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo and by Israeli and Palestinian civil society representatives. Aspects of the Gaza ceasefire deal have moved forward, but the most challenging steps like deploying an international security force and disarming Hamas still lie ahead.

  • The U.N. Security Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19, 2026.
  • The Board of Peace meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Riyad Mansour

The Palestinian U.N. Ambassador.

Mike Waltz

The U.S. ambassador to the U.N.

Eli Cohen

The Israeli Energy Minister.

Rosemary DiCarlo

The U.N. political chief.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States.

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What they’re saying

“We expect from the international community to stop Israel and end their illegal effort against annexation, whether in Washington or in New York.”

— Riyad Mansour, Palestinian U.N. Ambassador (wral.com)

“All of those countries are on the Board of Peace, singing the same tune as the United States.”

— Mike Waltz, U.S. ambassador to the U.N. (wral.com)

“It amounts to 'de facto sovereignty' that will block the establishment of a Palestinian state.”

— Eli Cohen, Israeli Energy Minister (wral.com)

What’s next

The U.N. Security Council meeting on Wednesday will be followed by the first gathering of President Trump's Board of Peace in Washington on Thursday, where world leaders are expected to discuss the future of the Palestinian territories.

The takeaway

The back-to-back meetings this week highlight the potential for conflict between the U.N. Security Council and Trump's new Board of Peace initiative, as the international community grapples with the complex and contentious issues surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.