Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

Editor David Horovitz and reporter Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

We are in day 23 of the war, which erupted on October 7 after some 2,500 Hamas terrorists broke down the border with the Gaza Strip to commit a massacre of some 1,400 and acts of brutality. There are now 230 hostages in Gaza, according to the IDF.

Last night Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the second stage of the campaign to destroy Hamas had begun with an expanding ground offensive into the Gaza Strip. What was said at the press conference?

Following the press conference, Netanyahu posted a now-deleted tweet assigning blame to the security and defense services for failures ahead of the October 7 massacres. Horovitz weighs in on just how united a front the emergency government is -- and why that's not what's important now.

Surkes reports on time she recently spent time with asylum seekers, including Darfur refugees, who are an integral part of the volunteer war effort.

We hear harrowing and amazing stories of bravery, including Border Police superintendent Shira Buchris at the October 7 Supernova rave and a resourceful Filipina caregiver Camille Jesalva, who saved her 95-year-old client. For dessert we hear about three animal rescues, as well.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog October 28, 2023

PM announces 2nd stage of war, with broad ground offensive; says ‘Never Again’ is now

Netanyahu sharply criticized for post blaming intelligence chiefs for Oct. 7 failure

With memories of atrocities in Africa still vivid, asylum seekers are helping Israel

Filipino caregiver paid off terrorist, saved herself and 95-year-old employer

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: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defense Yoav Galant, and head of the National Unity party Benny Gantz hold a joint press conference at the Ministry of Defense, in Tel Aviv on October 28, 2023. (Dana Kopel/POOL)

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