World leaders gather in Washington for Donald Trump’s first Board of Peace meeting - US politics live

World leaders are gathering in Washington D.C. for the inaugural meeting of Donald Trump's Board of Peace, an initiative aimed at ending the war in Gaza. Representatives from over 45 countries are expected, though major European allies like the UK, Germany, and France declined invitations due to concerns about the board's operations and potential conflict with the UN. The meeting follows a US-backed ceasefire plan approved by the UN Security Council, which includes a two-year mandate for the Board to oversee Gaza's demilitarization and reconstruction. Key unresolved issues include Hamas disarmament, Israeli troop withdrawal, and humanitarian aid. While board members have pledged $5 billion for reconstruction, this is a fraction of the estimated $70 billion needed. The summit occurs amid a fragile ceasefire and heightened tensions in the Middle East, including joint Russian-Iranian navy drills in the Gulf of Oman.

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