Day 189 - Tension mounts over Iran, question of surviving hostages

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.

It is day 189 of the war with Hamas. Political correspondent Tal Schneider and Arab Affairs reporter Luca Pacchiani join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

Schneider speaks about the latest headlines regarding Iran, which could strike Israeli soil within the next 48 hours according to intelligence from the US. She discusses the differences between previous attacks carried out by Iranian proxies on Israeli embassies and the threat posed by one possibly pointed toward Israel.

Schneider also discusses the information recently shared by the US administration in The Wall Street Journal regarding the number of hostages still presumed alive, and how six months of starvation, difficult conditions and lack of medications along with IDF missile hits may have left fewer hostages alive than expected.

Pacchiani talks about Hamas and Hezbollah operatives living and working in European countries, opening dozens of non-profit organizations in order to work with Palestinian loyalists and make inroads into local societies, often under the noses of security forces.

He also mentions an interfaith iftar meal at the end of Ramadan, held in west Jerusalem, where food, music and conversation were the cornerstone of the event after months of war.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog April 12, 2024

US intel said to indicate Iran could strike ‘Israeli soil’ in next 24 to 48 hours

US, Israeli officials fear most hostages held by Hamas are dead — report

Empty seder tables at Nir Oz as survivors mark an unhappy Passover without hostages

Europe turning blind eye to Hamas and Hezbollah networks in its territory, experts say

At interfaith Ramadan iftar in Jerusalem, breaking fast under the shadow of war

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: Participants in the Let My People Go march hold posters of all the dates that the hostages have been held in captivity by Hamas in Gaza, on April 12, 2024 (Courtesy Tanya Zion-Waldoks) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.