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.

It is day 186 of the war with Hamas. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

Berman speaks about the latest in hostage negotiations, the role that Qatar is currently playing in the talks, the fact that the US is leaning into the talks given its desire to see a post-Hamas future, and the flexibility Israel is showing on certain details.

He then looks at the statement Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made about a firm date for entering Gaza's Rafah, the last "unconquered city," says Berman. He notes some of the preparations made for evacuating Gazans from that area, but adds that it will be a unit-on-unit fight that "can't be a tiny operation."

Berman finishes the podcast with a careful look at how Israel has handled the matter of letting humanitarian aid into Gaza throughout the last six months, the lack of initiative on Israel's part at the start of the war, and now that the aid effort is finally happening, it should offer more latitude from Israel's allies and partners.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog April 9, 2024

Hamas says it won’t compromise on key demands as US leans into hostage talks

Israel has circled date in calendar for repeatedly-pledged Rafah invasion, PM says

Israel’s begrudging approach to humanitarian aid could cost it the war in Gaza

‘Proof is in the results’: US cautiously welcomes Israeli moves on Gaza aid

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: Armed and masked Palestinians seen on trucks loaded with International humanitarian aid entering Gaza through Israel's Kerem Shalom crossing, into the southern Gaza Strip on April 3, 2024 (Photo by Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)

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