Honestly, if you looked at the headlines today, January 18, 2026, you’d think the Middle East was being run like a high-stakes corporate merger. It’s wild. While most people are just trying to keep track of the fragile ceasefire that’s been wobbling along since October, the real story today is the massive diplomatic "Board of Peace" Trump is building.
It’s basically a VIP club for world leaders, but with a very steep cover charge. $1 billion. That’s the price for a permanent seat.
The Board of Peace and the $1 Billion Entry Fee
So, here’s the deal. The U.S. has been sending out these "founding member" invites to a new body called the Board of Peace. Its job? Overseeing the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan. Today, we learned that Jordan, Greece, Cyprus, and Pakistan are the latest to get the golden envelope. They join a list that already includes Canada, Turkey, Egypt, and Argentina.
But there’s a catch that’s raising eyebrows from Jerusalem to D.C.
If a country wants a permanent seat instead of just a three-year stint, they have to pony up $1 billion. A U.S. official—speaking anonymously because the charter isn't public yet—says that money is earmarked for rebuilding Gaza. It’s a bold, kinda transactional approach to diplomacy that feels very "Trump 2.0." Some are calling it a potential rival to the UN. Others see it as the only way to actually fund the massive reconstruction Gaza needs after years of war and 61 million tonnes of rubble.
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What Happened Today in Israel: The Cabinet Civil War
While the U.S. is busy mailing out invites, the mood in Jerusalem is... tense. Actually, tense is an understatement. It’s a full-on political storm.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spent Sunday trying to keep his own government from imploding. His far-right partners, specifically Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, are absolutely livid about the makeup of this new "Gaza Executive Board."
Why the Far-Right is Fuming
- Turkey and Qatar: The board includes representatives from these two countries. Israel’s hardliners view Turkey as a Hamas mouthpiece and Qatar as their primary banker.
- The Kushner Connection: During closed-door sessions today, several ministers openly blamed Jared Kushner. They basically alleged he’s "taking revenge" on Israel because they wouldn't reopen the Rafah Crossing earlier.
- The Annexation Argument: Smotrich isn't just complaining; he’s calling for a total pivot. He wants a military government in Gaza and the establishment of new Israeli settlements.
Netanyahu is caught in the middle. On Saturday, his office put out a rare, sharp critique of the U.S., saying the committee wasn't "coordinated with Israel." Today, he’s trying to lower the temperature by having Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar talk to Marco Rubio instead of escalating things directly with the White House.
Life on the Ground: Storms and "Phase Two"
Away from the mahogany tables and heated cabinet meetings, things are pretty bleak. A massive winter storm is hitting the region. In Gaza, it’s been deadly. We’re hearing reports of walls collapsing in displacement camps and at least eight children dying of hypothermia this winter.
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The U.S. says we are now in Phase Two of the ceasefire. What does that actually mean?
- Moving from a "stop shooting" phase to a "governance" phase.
- The deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF).
- The disarmament of Hamas (which, let’s be real, is the hardest part).
- A new Palestinian committee of technocrats taking over daily life.
Hamas says they’ll hand over control, but the IDF isn't so sure. They suspect Hamas will keep their guns while the technocrats handle the paperwork. Because of that, the IDF remains in ultimate control of the borders for the "foreseeable future."
The Business Side: SEC and Ride-Hailing
It wasn't all war and peace today. Netanyahu also met with Paul Atkins, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman. They’re working on a way to make it way easier for Israeli companies to list on U.S. stock exchanges. It’s a move to keep the "Startup Nation" tag alive while the economy takes a hit from the war's tail end.
Also, the Transportation Ministry is finally trying to regulate ride-hailing apps (think Uber/Lyft clones) in Israel. They’re looking at driver screening and insurance—things that have been in a legal gray area for ages.
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What You Should Watch For Next
The next few days are going to be crucial. If you're following this, keep your eyes on Davos. The U.S. is expected to announce the full, official list of Board of Peace members during the World Economic Forum.
Also, watch the Israeli budget. Smotrich is supposed to present the 2026 budget tomorrow. Given that his party is currently threatening to walk over the Gaza plan, that budget meeting could turn into a hostage situation for the coalition.
Actionable Insights for the Week Ahead:
- Monitor Davos Announcements: The list of countries willing to pay the $1 billion "entry fee" will tell us a lot about who is actually invested in the new Middle East order.
- Watch the West Bank: While Gaza is the focus, settler violence and military raids near Ramallah and Tulkarm have spiked today. It’s a powder keg that could easily overshadow the Gaza "Phase Two" talks.
- Check Flight Statuses: With regional tensions between Israel and Iran still simmering (despite the U.S. saying Iran’s "red lines" haven't been crossed), airlines like Lufthansa are still playing it safe with suspensions.
This isn't a "peace is here" moment. It’s a "the rules are changing" moment. Whether it works or just creates a new kind of chaos depends on if Smotrich’s threats are real and if the $1 billion seats actually get filled.
Stay updated on the Davos meeting schedule starting tomorrow for the official Board of Peace member rollout.