Day 119 - ToI on the ground in Gaza with the IDF in Khan Younis

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 119 of the war. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Fabian was in Khan Younis this week. What was he shown and how does that correspond with recent statements from Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who among other things said Israel will maintain military control of the Gaza Strip once the war against Hamas is over.

The IDF Home Front Command on Thursday eased restrictions in most communities near the Gaza Strip border for the first time since the war began on October 7. What's happening here?

In a scene that could have been thought up in Hollywood, on Tuesday morning, Israeli commandos killed three members of an armed Hamas cell hiding inside a hospital in the northern West Bank city of Jenin. What took place there?

On Tuesday, the IDF announced that it had been flooding some tunnels in the Gaza Strip with seawater, confirming what had been an open secret for several weeks. What is the scope of the flush operations?

Israeli leaders have also signaled that they would like to establish a buffer zone as a defensive measure and satellite photos show new demolition along a 1-kilometer-deep path on the Gaza Strip’s border with Israel. What is the army publicly stating about this?

Turning to the north, on Wednesday, the IDF said that fighter jets carried out strikes overnight against Syrian Army positions in the Daraa area in southern Syria, in response to a rocket attack on the Golan Heights the previous evening. What else is happening along the border?

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog February 2, 2024

Defense minister vows IDF will push south to Rafah as Khan Younis offensive wraps up

As Khan Younis battles intensify, Gallant says IDF will maintain control of Gaza

IDF says it killed 3 terrorists planning Oct. 7-like attack hiding in Jenin hospital

Satellite photos show new demolition within Israeli buffer zone in Gaza

IDF confirms flooding Hamas tunnels in Gaza with seawater

Reports say IDF soldiers have torched hundreds of buildings in Gaza

US, Israel believe up to 80% of Hamas tunnels intact after 114 days of war – report

IDF says jets struck Syrian Army positions in response to rocket attack

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: An Israeli soldier stands guard during the ground offensive on the Gaza Strip in Khan Younis, January 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Sam McNeil) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.