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.

Senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

The Israeli Air Force released footage showing missiles launched by IAF fighter jets striking four large container cranes at the port used to unload shipments. The symbolism — and pragmatism of course — behind that move can’t missed after all these months of shipping interference, which is part of a larger strategy, posits Rettig Gur.

Israeli public figures on Sunday expressed gratitude to US President Joe Biden for his backing of Israel throughout his long career after the Democratic incumbent announced he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential election. Some US leaders have placed Biden's announcement in stark contrast with the conduct of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Rettig Gur weighs in.

US Senator JD Vance of Ohio, who is Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s running mate, will not attend Netanyahu’s address to a joint session of Congress on Thursday. Is this more than mere logistics?

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

Discussed articles include:

IAF issues footage of strike on Houthi-controlled port, says it’s girding for reprisal

Israeli leaders thank Biden for ‘steadfast support’ after he quits presidential race

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: This handout satellite image released by Maxar Technologies shows a view of burning oil tanks in the port of Yemen's Houthi-held city of Hodeida on July 21, 2024, a day after Israeli strikes. (Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies / AFP)

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