Hamas: Put pressure on Israel in Trump's "peace council"

TT

Published 2026-02-17 17.47

 

US non-resident Donald Trump aboard the presidential plane Air Force One. Photo: Matt Rourke /AP/TT

Terrorist-labeled Hamas in Gaza demands that US President Donald Trump's so-called peace council must put pressure on Israel.

Israel in turn announces that Foreign Minister Gideon Saar will participate in the first meeting on Thursday.

Trump, who himself heads the council, will receive in Washington for a first meeting with the countries participating.

Ahead of the meeting, Hamas is urging the newly created council to increase pressure on Israel to end what it considers continuous violations of the current ceasefire in Gaza.

Israel's foreign minister is participating in the council meeting after first participating in a meeting with the UN Security Council in New York on Wednesday.

The council was created in part and initially to monitor the ceasefire and prepare for Gaza's future. At least 19 countries have signed the "peace council" charter.