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.

Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Since the ceasefire in Lebanon on November 28, 2024, there have been 331 killed and 945 wounded in Lebanon according to its Health Ministry.
Yesterday, the White House expressed its support for Israel’s right to defend itself following an IDF strike over the weekend that killed Hezbollah chief of staff Haytham Ali Tabatabai. Horovitz discusses the differences in the mechanisms upholding the ceasefires in Lebanon and in Gaza, even as Hamas takes deeper root in the Strip.

The United Arab List party leader, Mansour Abbas, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “trying to steal the election” on Monday, after the premier appeared to threaten to outlaw the Arab political party (Ra’am in Hebrew, or "thunder," in English), on the grounds that it is connected to the Muslim Brotherhood. We learn about the American context for Netanyahu's statement and hear how pivotal the Arab parties could be during this election year.

The public squabbling between IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Defense Minister Israel Katz continued yesterday, drawing some in the defense echelons to worry that it is affecting Israel's deterrence. Horovitz weighs in.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

US backs Israel’s right to defend itself after IDF strike on Hezbollah army chief

Body of hostage recovered in central Gaza, says Palestinian Islamic Jihad

Ra’am leader says PM ‘trying to steal elections’ after apparent hint at barring Arab party

Trump launches process aimed at potentially sanctioning Muslim Brotherhood

In escalating clash, IDF chief accuses Katz of harming military’s preparedness

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves.

IMAGE: Ra'am party head MK Mansour Abbas leads a faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on November 24, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

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