President Donald Trump’s administration brokered a deal to pause fighting in Gaza and facilitate a hostage release, an agreement announced Thursday, February 19, 2026, after months of diplomatic efforts. The “first phase” of the plan, as described by Trump, is designed to bring about a pause in the conflict that began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
The agreement, approved by the Israeli Cabinet, outlines the release of hostages held by Hamas, according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. Netanyahu thanked Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff for their involvement in securing the deal. Trump indicated he may travel to Egypt for a signing ceremony.
While initially focused on securing a ceasefire and hostage release, the scope of Trump’s involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has broadened with the establishment of the “Board of Peace.” The board held its first formal meeting Thursday in Washington, D.C., as Palestinians await the full implementation of the October 10, 2025, truce deal. Hamas, however, is pressing the Board of Peace to compel Israel to halt what it describes as “ongoing violations” of that agreement.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem, in a video statement, accused Israel of continuing a “war of genocide” against the Gaza Strip, citing more than 600 Palestinian deaths and 1,600 injuries at the hands of Israeli forces since the truce began. Qassem called on the Board of Peace to facilitate the entry of a committee of technocrats intended to govern and rebuild Gaza, and to lift the blockade of the territory, allowing for increased access for aid and travelers.
The Board of Peace’s emergence has prompted speculation about its long-term objectives. Some observers question whether the board is intended to supplant the role of the United Nations in mediating international conflicts. A senior official involved with the Board of Peace reportedly met with a top Hamas leader last week to discuss disarmament, according to two officials familiar with the meeting.
The October 9, 2025, agreement stipulates that Hamas must release all living hostages and any deceased hostages it can identify. The full text of the deal, released by the Times of Israel, details a plan for a “comprehensive end” to the Gaza war, but the implementation of subsequent phases remains contingent on Hamas’s adherence to the terms of the agreement and a cessation of Israeli military operations.
As of Thursday, February 19, 2026, the Board of Peace has not publicly responded to Hamas’s demands regarding the ongoing violence in Gaza. The timing of the hostage release, potentially scheduled for Monday or Tuesday, remains subject to final confirmation.
