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 159 of the war with Hamas. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and military correspondent Emanuel Fabian join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

This morning two people are wounded in a stabbing attack at the “tunnels” checkpoint near Gush Etzion on the West Bank’s Route 60 highway, south of Jerusalem. Fabian gives updates.

Israelis awoke to optimistic media chatter about the status of hostage release negotiations. Berman fills us in.

Earlier in the week, the IDF struck central Gaza strike, targeting Hamas #3 Marwan Issa. We hear about the ongoing uncertainty whether the strike was successful.

A ship taking almost 200 tons of food to the Gaza Strip left Cyprus early on Tuesday, according to the World Central Kitchen, in a pilot project to open a new sea route for aid to Palestinians amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

Also yesterday, the United Nations used a new land route to deliver food directly into northern Gaza from an IDF crossing near Kibbutz Be’eri for the first time. And again, on Tuesday, Morocco sent 40 tons of humanitarian supplies for Gaza via Ben Gurion Airport, in another bid to diversify aid routes into Gaza.

We discuss the different routes and the IDF's role in securing them, as well as the diplomatic impact the need for aid to the Palestinians is having on Israel's "friendly" neighbors. We also hear about the status of UNRWA funding and which organizations Israel is willing to work with.

Finally, Fabian gives us an update on the sharp uptick in the conflict in the north.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog March 13, 2024

Two lightly injured in stabbing at West Bank checkpoint, assailant shot dead

Jammed hostage talks advancing as Hamas softens under Qatari pressure — diplomat

IDF airs footage of strike on Hamas’s No. 3, but says still unclear if he was killed

UN and Morocco deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza via land routes through Israel

As first ship sails, Israel to inspect all aid from Cyprus; aid groups will distribute

IDF strikes Hezbollah sites deep in Lebanon; 100 rockets fired at north

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

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: Palestinians line up for a meal in Rafah, Gaza Strip, on March 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

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