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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

Berman discusses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's first Hebrew-language media interview since October 7 on the pro-Netanyahu Channel 14 network, in which the prime minister spoke about the end of intense fighting in Gaza, his willingness to agree to a partial hostage deal, while insisting that battles would continue.

He also speaks about Netanyahu's comments regarding the north and the prime minister's hopes for a diplomatic solution, as well as how the prime minister deftly pointed fingers at his opponents in the government in order to firmly position himself as the country's ultimate leader.

Berman turns to the Biden administration and its ongoing spat with Netanyahu over what the prime minister's claims regarding a slowdown in shipments of US arms. Berman suggests the low-level disagreement may all be about politics as the prime minister does not want Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, currently visiting in DC, to lay claim on any diplomatic successes during his visit.

Berman concludes with a look at the terror attack in two communities in Russia's Dagestan, bordering Azerbaijan, a mostly Moslem region that has experienced Moslem Jihadist terrorism in the past and was the focal point of a near-pogrom after October 7, when locals attempted to target Israeli passengers on a flight.

For more updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.

Discussed articles include:

PM says open to partial pause and hostage deal but war won’t end until Hamas destroyed

EU’s Borrell warns war in Middle East on the brink of expanding

Netanyahu says US arms supplies fell away 4 months ago; he went public as last resort

US hasn’t withheld weapons for Israel, but it’s done fast-tracking them — official

Over 15 Russian cops, civilians killed in attacks on synagogues, churches in Dagestan

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: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to Channel 14 in the first interview he's given to an Israeli news outlet since October 7, on June 23, 2024. (Screenshot, Channel 14, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

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