Israeli troopers take up positions throughout a military raid within the West Financial institution metropolis of Hebron Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Mahmoud Illean/AP
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Mahmoud Illean/AP
Israel has been requested to affix U.S. President Donald Trump’s new Board of Peace that can supervise the subsequent part of the Gaza peace plan, an Israeli official stated Monday, whereas France is holding off accepting for now.
It isn’t identified whether or not Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted the supply, stated the Israeli official who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of they have been discussing a behind-the-scenes diplomatic matter.
Russia, Belarus, Slovenia, Thailand and the European Union’s government arm additionally have been among the many newest to obtain invites.
It is unclear what number of leaders have been requested to affix the board, and the massive variety of invites being despatched out, together with to nations that do not get alongside, has raised questions concerning the board’s mandate and decision-making processes. Additionally unknown is Israel’s potential function on a board in command of implementing the ceasefire settlement that immediately entails them.
A Trump reference within the invitation letters saying that the physique would “embark on a daring new strategy to resolving international battle” instructed it may act as a rival to the U.N. Safety Council, essentially the most highly effective physique of the worldwide group created within the wake of World Struggle II.
France, although, doesn’t plan to affix the Board of Peace “at this stage” regardless of receiving an invite, a French official near President Emmanuel Macron stated Monday. The problem is elevating questions, significantly with regard to respect for the ideas and construction of the United Nations, stated the official, talking anonymously consistent with the French presidency’s customary practices.
Instructed late Monday that Macron was unlikely to affix, Trump stated, “Properly, no person desires him as a result of he will be out of workplace very quickly.”
“I am going to put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes and he’ll be part of,” Trump instructed reporters in Florida earlier than a flight again to Washington. “However he does not have to affix.”
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI accepted a spot Monday, changing into the primary Arab chief and no less than the fifth world chief to affix. Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Hungary and Argentina even have signed on.
Russian President Vladimir Putin obtained the invitation, and the Kremlin is now “learning the main points” and can search readability of “all of the nuances” in contacts with the U.S., stated Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Trump confirmed Monday evening that Putin had been invited.
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko is prepared to participate, in keeping with the nation’s International Ministry. The Thai International Ministry stated it was invited and reviewing the main points.
European Fee spokesperson Olof Gill stated that Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the fee, can be talking to different EU leaders about Gaza. Gill did not say whether or not its invitation had been accepted, however that the fee desires “to contribute to a complete plan to finish the Gaza battle.”
Israel’s objections to the board
Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday dismissed the Board of Peace as a uncooked deal for Israel and referred to as for its dissolution.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters earlier than boarding Air Drive One at Palm Seaside Worldwide Airport, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in West Palm Seaside, Fla.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
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Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
“It’s time to clarify to the president that his plan is unhealthy for the State of Israel and to cancel it,” Smotrich stated. “Gaza is ours, its future will have an effect on our future greater than anybody else’s. We’ll take duty for what occurs there, impose army administration, and full the mission.”
Smotrich, a hard-liner who opposed the Gaza ceasefire, even instructed that Israel renew a full-scale offensive on the territory to destroy Hamas if it does not abide by a “brief ultimatum for actual disarmament and exile.”
Netanyahu stated afterward Monday that whereas there are variations with the U.S. concerning the composition of the advisory committee accompanying the subsequent part in Gaza, it will not hurt his relationship with Trump.
“There won’t be Turkish troopers and Qatari troopers within the (Gaza) Strip,” he stated.
Netanyahu’s workplace earlier stated the formation of an government board that can work to hold out the imaginative and prescient of the Board of Peace wasn’t coordinated with the Israeli authorities and “is opposite to its coverage” with out clarifying its objections. Turkey, a key regional rival, is amongst these invited to affix the committee.
The ultimate listing
The U.S. is anticipated to announce its official listing of members within the coming days, doubtless through the World Financial Discussion board assembly in Davos, Switzerland.
Board members will oversee an government committee that might be in command of implementing the powerful second part of the Gaza peace plan that features the deployment of a world safety pressure, disarmament of Hamas and reconstruction of the war-devastated territory.
A $1 billion contribution secures everlasting membership on the board, with the cash going to rebuild Gaza, in keeping with a U.S. official who spoke on situation of anonymity concerning the constitution as he wasn’t permitted to talk publicly about particulars of the board, which hasn’t been made public. A 3-year appointment has no contribution requirement.
In accordance with the World Financial institution’s Gaza and West Financial institution Interim Speedy Injury and Wants Evaluation (IRDNA) report launched final yr, it’s going to take $53 billion to rebuild the strip.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated Monday the UK is speaking to allies concerning the Board of Peace.
Operating Gaza
Egypt’s prime diplomat on Monday met with the chief of the newly appointed committee of Palestinian technocrats who might be operating Gaza’s day-to-day affairs through the second part.
International Minister Bader Abdelatty met with Ali Shaath, a Palestinian engineer and former official with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, who was named final week as chief commissioner of the Nationwide Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
Abdelatty expressed the Egyptian authorities’s “full help” of the committee and affirmed its function in operating Gaza’s each day affairs till the Palestinian Authority takes over the territory, stated an announcement from the Egyptian ministry.
Gaza humanitarian scenario nonetheless fragile
The U.N. World Meals Program on Monday stated it has “considerably expanded” its operations throughout Gaza 100 days into the ceasefire, reaching greater than 1,000,000 individuals every month with sizzling meals and meals parcels. Nevertheless it warned the scenario stays “extraordinarily fragile.”
It famous that malnutrition has been prevented for 200,000 pregnant and breastfeeding ladies, in addition to kids beneath 5.
Nonetheless, the newest Built-in Meals Safety Part Classification (IPC) evaluation in December indicated that 77% the inhabitants is dealing with crisis-level meals insecurity.
Israeli forces transfer into Hebron
Israeli army and safety forces launched what they referred to as a large-scale counterterrorism operation within the West Financial institution metropolis of Hebron to dismantle “terrorist infrastructure, eliminating unlawful weapons possession and strengthening safety.”
The Israeli army stated Monday the operation is anticipated to proceed for a number of days. Israeli armored automobiles and troopers patrolled metropolis streets and put up limitations the place operations have been being performed.
Hebron Mayor Khaled Dudin stated Israeli forces focused the realm that is residence to 80,000 individuals as a result of it obstructs the development of further Israeli settlements.
Three Palestinians killed
Israeli forces on Monday killed three Palestinians, together with a teen, in southern Gaza, hospital authorities stated.
Two males crossed into Israeli-controlled areas east of Khan Younis earlier than being shot useless, whereas 17-year-old Hussein Tawfiq Abu Sabalah was shot and killed within the Muwasi space of Rafah, in keeping with the Nasser hospital. It wasn’t instantly clear whether or not the teenager had crossed into or got here near the Israeli-controlled space.
Greater than 460 individuals have been killed by Israeli fireplace and their our bodies delivered to hospitals because the ceasefire went into impact simply over three months in the past, in keeping with the Gaza Well being Ministry.
The ministry, which is a part of the Hamas-led authorities, maintains detailed casualty information which might be seen as usually dependable by U.N. companies and impartial specialists.
