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.

Today is Day 118 of the war. Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Last night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with hostage families amid a flurry of reports on a potential deal being examined by Israel and Hamas to free the hostages. What do we know about the contours so far — and who is making the decisions on the Hamas side?

According to a Tuesday television poll, 50 percent of Israelis would oppose a deal that sees Hamas return 35 hostages to Israel in exchange for a 45-day pause in fighting and thousands of freed Palestinian terrorists. The same poll found 38% of Israelis are in favor of reestablishing settlements in the Gaza Strip and 51% are against. Horovitz weighs in.

In what would be a major shift in American policy, the US State Department is reportedly exploring the possibility of recognizing a Palestinian state following the end of the Gaza war. And, on Monday, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the UK is considering recognizing a Palestinian state as a way to apply pressure on Israel to accept a two-state solution after a ceasefire in Gaza. Why are these statements coming now?

For the latest updates, please look at The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.

Discussed articles include:

Live blog February 1, 2024

PM to families: I won’t OK deal that harms security; 35 hostages for 35-day truce mooted

Is there a way to bring the hostages home without derailing the war against Hamas?

Almost 4 in 10 Israelis back a revival of Jewish settlements in Gaza, poll finds

State Department downplays report US weighing recognition of Palestinian state

Cameron says Britain is mulling recognition of Palestinian state

THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel

THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown

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IMAGE: Flags of Israel and the Palestinian Authority wave behind barbed wire (Bartolomiej Pietrzyk/Shutterstock.com)

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