Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, Friday Focus. Each Friday, join host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.

Israel awaits the release of the 48 hostages -- living and dead -- held by Hamas and other terrorist organizations since the October 7, 2023, onslaught on southern Israel that saw 1,200 slain and another 250 taken captive to the Strip.

Ahead of this release, scheduled for early next week, Berman explains the pressures on the Hamas terror group that brought them to give up on two of their three negotiating stances.

We then learn how Israel may operate after the IDF's drawdown to some 53 percent of the Gaza Strip. Berman explores three models: how the IDF operates in Lebanon versus in the West Bank or the idea of an external international peace-keeping force.

Stay tuned to discover which model Berman prefers on this week's Friday Focus.

Friday Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: Lazar Berman (Courtesy) / A Hamas terrorist fighter takes up a position ahead of a hostages release in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, February 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.