Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Today’s panel comprises environmental reporter Sue Surkes and Palestinian affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman, along with host Jessica Steinberg.

Surkes assesses the extent of ecological damage wreaked by the massive fires that ripped through the Jerusalem Hills since Sunday, turning some 25,000 dunams (6,200 acres) of woodlands into scorched earth, harming complex ecosystems.

The Palestinian Authority sent four firefighting teams to assist in putting out the fires in the Jerusalem hills, prompting public thanks from Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.

Back on the environmental front, a look at a $1 million prize kickstarted by Canadian philanthropist Jeff Hart aimed at bringing Israeli-based innovation technology to fight climate change worldwide.

And finally, while several rockets were shot into Israel from Gaza this week, Israel isn't responding, in an effort to allow talks to proceed between Gaza and Israel, three months after Operation Guardian of the Walls.

Discussed articles include:

Ecologists worry over ecosystem’s recovery after huge Jerusalem-area blaze

Palestinian firefighters help Israel battle Jerusalem-area blazes

With $1m annual prize, donor hopes Israeli ideas will help solve climate crisis

TV: Israel not responding to Gaza rocket due to progress in talks with Hamas

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IMAGE: Smoke and red fire retardant sprayed by Israeli firefighting aircraft mingles on a hillside on the third day of wildfires in the Jerusalem mountains, August 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

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