Day 145 - Israel's conflict with Iran comes into focus in Syria

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 145 of the war with Hamas. Arab affairs reporter Luca Pacchiani and reporter Canaan Lidor join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Results from yesterday's municipal elections are still coming in, but in the meantime, we focus on Tiberias, where a secular former communications executive Yossi Naba’a has apparently won the race by garnering religious backing. Lidor tells us about this special race.

On Monday, the Palestinian Authority’s government formally resigned in what is meant to mark a major step toward the revitalization of the administrative body. Pacchiani weighs in on why this may not be that step.

For years, Israeli news media has talked about “alleged Israeli air strikes on Syria.” But lately, the Air Force appears to be taking much more overt credit for targeting leaders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Pacchiani spoke with two experts who explain the shift.

Late last week, leaders of South African Jewry who were visiting Israel organized a ceremony in honor of members of their community who were killed or wounded or made other sacrifices defending the Jewish state. Lidor explains why this was also a political protest.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog February 28, 2024

In Tiberias, Haredi locals cheer for defeat of their secularist nemesis’s comeback bid

‘Cosmetic’ PA reshuffle seen as bid by Abbas to hold power, avoid demanded reforms

No longer afraid of sparking war, Israel takes gloves off against IRGC in Syria

Defying their government, South African Jews honor compatriots who fell for Israel

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: A truck in flames following an alleged Israeli airstrike near the Syrian town of Qusayr, February 25, 2024. (X screengrab: used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.