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 151 of the war with Hamas. Zman Yisrael editor Biranit Goren and environment reporter Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

In a 24-page report yesterday, the United Nation’s envoy on sex crimes during conflict told the UN that rape and gang rape likely occurred during the October 7 Hamas onslaught against southern Israel, that “clear and convincing” evidence shows that hostages were raped while being held in Gaza, and that those currently held captive are still facing such abuse. We talk about the methodology of the report and whether international women's groups will have some kind of reckoning in light of its findings.

War cabinet minister Benny Gantz has been in the United States for the past several days meeting with Biden administration officials and is set to travel to London for similar meetings. Goren explains why this trip is an unusual move for a cabinet minister.

For the first time in Israel’s history, the IDF has appointed a woman to command an Israeli Air Force base. We hear about Lt. Col. “Gimmel.”

The Energy Ministry is finalizing a potentially revolutionary plan, to be submitted to the government by March 18, to turn the Tekuma region along the Gaza border into a flagship for energy independence and renewable energy. This was unveiled at a conference in Eilat. What else did you hear at the conference?

Children in the Negev Bedouin village of Elarara are learning in classrooms heated by a diesel generator, which emits carcinogenic fumes. We hear how this is now an isolated incident and what a Jewish-Arab NGO is trying to do about it.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog March 5, 2024

UN finds evidence of rape on Oct. 7 and after; Israel: They tried to downplay issue

Hosting Gantz, Harris balances praise of Israel with criticism over Gaza aid crisis

For first time in Israel’s history, IDF appoints woman commander of Air Force base

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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ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE: Israelis visit the site of the Re'im music festival massacre in southern Israel, February 28, 2024. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

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