Secretary Marco Rubio addressed attendees at the Board of Peace event, emphasizing that the only viable solution for Gaza is a sustainable peace plan. Speaking before an audience of international representatives, Rubio underscored that any alternative—what he called “Plan B”—would inevitably return the region to war and widespread destruction. His remarks laid out the administration’s vision for a multilateral approach to resolving the ongoing crisis in Gaza, framed around coordinated rebuilding efforts and long-term coexistence.

Rubio opened his remarks by highlighting the unique nature of the Gaza crisis, “This is a unique crisis in Gaza, one that existing international institutions could not figure out,” Rubio said. He credited a series of collaborative efforts, including the coordination of multiple nations with the leadership of President Donald Trump. Rubio specifically praised Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for their roles in organizing the initiative and working “countless hours” to bring countries together under a unified framework.

There is no plan B for Gaza. Plan B is going back to war.

Plan A, the only path forward, is one that rebuilds Gaza in a way of enduring and sustainable peace where no one has to worry about returning to conflict, human suffering, and destruction. pic.twitter.com/BCMBhoCe84

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 19, 2026

Rubio emphasized the high stakes of the endeavor. “There is no plan B for Gaza. Plan B is going back to war. No one wants that,” he said. “Plan A, the only path forward, rebuilds Gaza in enduring and sustainable peace where everyone can live there side-by-side with one another and never returning to conflict, to war, human suffering, and destruction.” The speech was accompanied by a visual display summarizing the strategy, titled “U.S.-Led, Combined With Multilateral Partnership,” which outlined a framework combining American leadership, international collaboration, bespoke conflict solutions, and strategic senior leadership tailored to political, security, and economic needs.

Following Rubio’s remarks, Steve Witkoff, a key coordinator of the Board of Peace initiative, reinforced the same message. Witkoff, who has been instrumental in facilitating diplomatic coordination for the Gaza effort, credited the president’s leadership as essential to the progress made so far.

Witkoff highlighted the humanitarian impact of these efforts, particularly in relation to hostage releases. “Without him, none of this would have been possible. There were 251 hostages; 168 came out alive. 83 bodies were returned to their families so they can grieve and remember their loved ones,” he said. Witkoff described the process as a monumental and highly personal effort, noting the president’s direct involvement with families of hostages at the White House.

“There were 251 hostages; 168 came out alive. 83 bodies were returned to their families so they can grieve and remember their loved ones.” pic.twitter.com/OYuxtyHDbt

— American Gazzete (@AmericanGazzete) February 20, 2026

Both Rubio and Witkoff framed the Board of Peace initiative as a model for handling complex international crises through collaborative, bespoke strategies rather than relying on standard institutional mechanisms. Rubio concluded his remarks by stressing the ongoing nature of the work and the need for sustained international cooperation to ensure a durable peace in Gaza.

The event signaled a concerted effort to move beyond reactive measures and toward a structured plan for reconstruction, governance, and coexistence in Gaza, emphasizing multilateral engagement, operational precision, and tailored solutions aimed at preventing future conflict.