Episode Details

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

The Board of Peace launched on Thursday in Davos and is chaired for life by US President Donald Trump. It is beginning its work by addressing the Gaza conflict and at its launch, the US announced plans for a “New Gaza” rebuilt from scratch, to include residential towers, data centers and seaside resorts, part of US President Donald Trump’s push to advance an Israel-Hamas ceasefire shaken by repeated violations. We hear about Jared Kushner's vision for a "New Gaza" and the demilitarization of Gaza.

The head of a transitional Palestinian committee backed by the US to temporarily administer Gaza, Ali Shaath, said on Thursday that the Rafah border crossing — effectively the sole route in or out of Gaza for nearly all of the more than 2 million people who live there — would open this week. We learn who will be manning the crossing and how involved the IDF will be.

And finally, we discuss the increased involvement of the Palestinian Authority -- albeit in different garb and under changed names.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Witkoff and Kushner meet Netanyahu as US seeks to advance its Gaza peace plan

With Hamas armed and Strip in ruins, Kushner’s vision for Gaza faces major obstacles

Rafah crossing reopening was ‘imposed’ on Israel by Gaza mediators — officials

Israel reportedly plans to monitor Rafah Border Crossing, as its reopening nears

Despite concerns, PM’s reliance on Trump left him no choice but to join Board of Peace

Arab diplomat: Turkey, Qatar filling vacuum in Gaza created by Israel’s snub of PA

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves and Ari Schlacht.

Check out yesterday’s episode here:

IMAGE: Hamas terrorists search for the remains of Israeli hostage Ran Gvili in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, January 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

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