Day 152 - Gantz wraps up US trip, with questionable results

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 152 of the war. Political correspondent Tal Schneider and religion reporter Canaan Lidor join host Jessica Steinberg.

Schneider discusses the US visit of war cabinet member Benny Gantz, where he heard administration criticism about the lack of a viable post-war plan for Gaza, as well as the growing aid issue in the Gaza Strip.

She also looks at the decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow visits to the Temple Mount during Ramadan, overruling Public Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and the possible political ramifications of that decision.

Lidor talks about the return of some residents to the southern communities of Shlomit and Sderot, the desire of locals to return to their homes and what that looks like right now, during a war.

Schneider and Lidor speak about the expected results on Wednesday of the commission of inquiry into the 2021 Mt. Meron disaster on Lag B'omer, and what plans will look like for this year's holiday celebration for the ultra-Orthodox community, given the ongoing closure in the north.

Lidor concludes the podcast with a discussion of his piece about peaceniks who lived in the Gaza border communities that were attacked on October 7, and what they feel now about regular Gazans.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog March 6, 2024

Hosting Gantz, Harris balances praise of Israel with criticism over Gaza aid crisis

Netanyahu overrules Ben Gvir: Temple Mount access on Ramadan to be like previous years

No longer a ghost town, Sderot welcomes returnees and a renewed sense of normalcy

Meron disaster inquest blames former ministers Ohana, Avitan, police chief Shabtai

Their dovish hopes clipped, some Gaza border residents make peace with becoming hawks

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: Benny Gantz, left, a key member of Israel's War Cabinet is welcomed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, for a private meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.