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 73 of the war. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's podcast.

Fabian delves into how the IDF is reacting to the accidental killing of 3 Israeli hostages in Gaza on Friday and what IDF Chief Herzi Halevi is saying.

Yesterday, the IDF revealed the largest-ever Hamas attack tunnel discovered by the military, in the northern Gaza Strip, close to the Erez border crossing with Israel, but not inside Israeli territory. Just how big is this tunnel?

Were we not in a ground offensive in Gaza, the tit-for-tat retaliation between Israel and Hezbollah would be taken more seriously. What has been seen in and out of Lebanon and Syria recently?

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected in Israel today and may announce efforts to stymie Yemen's Houthi rebel group, which is targeting shipping in the Red Sea.

The Times of Israel confirmed that Israel’s reported attempt to pump seawater into the vast network of tunnels beneath Gaza was a success. Fabian fills us in.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog December 18, 2023

Halevi to troops, after 3 hostages killed: IDF doesn’t shoot people waving white flag

IDF uncovers largest-ever Hamas attack tunnel, near northern Gaza border crossing

Gallant warns Hezbollah amid frequent attacks from Lebanon, IDF retaliatory strikes

Syria says two soldiers hurt, ‘material losses’ caused by alleged Israeli airstrike

IDF trial of flooding Hamas tunnels with seawater proves successful, ToI told

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

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

IMAGE: Israeli soldiers are seen in a tunnel that the military says Hamas terrorists used to attack the Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, December 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.