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 47 of the war. Editor David Horovitz and culture editor Jessica Steinberg join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's podcast.

69 soldiers have fallen in Gaza as of Wednesday morning and the IDF says it’s continuing to operate in the Gaza Strip, with ground forces clashing with Hamas operatives, and strikes being carried out against the terror group’s infrastructure until the timing of a formal ceasefire is reached. The cabinet resoundingly approved a first hostage release deal early this morning. Horovitz explains what Israel is getting and what Israel is giving up.

We hear who were the major players behind the deal as well as how it was received in domestic Israeli politics.

Children and women are the primary focus of the hostage deal. Steinberg gives us a sense of the 38 children being held, their age ranges and how they were taken.

Steinberg, who is spearheading the ToI's covering of the hostages, has met with several of their families. We hear about the Engel and Sharabi families.

Steinberg was inspired in Tel Aviv this week by a series of murals painted for the captured children in coordination with the Free Our Kids IL pop-up grassroots organization. What struck her?

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog November 22, 2023

Cabinet okays deal for release of 50 Israeli hostages in exchange for 4-day Gaza truce

Most politicians welcome hostage deal; Smotrich explains why party ended up voting yes

Behind the scenes of the intense talks that led to the Israel-Hamas hostage deal

The children believed held hostage in Gaza, many of whom could be freed in Hamas deal

‘Life has stopped in the middle’ for families of 3 hostages, connected by teens’ love

Street artists paint Tel Aviv wall murals about child hostages

THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Stories of 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: An installation of eyes on empty chairs symbol of the people missing and held captive in Gaza, in Tel Aviv Israel, November 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

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