The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

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 55 of the war. Zman Yisrael editor Biranit Goren and military reporter Emanuel Fabian join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's podcast.

Three people were killed and six were wounded, two of them seriously, in a terror shooting attack at the entrance to Jerusalem on Thursday morning. Fabian updates us.

There are increased reports of Hamas violations of the ceasefire. How is the IDF weighing how to respond?

Fabian joined a ride-along with the IDF on a night-time raid in Beit Furik between Monday and Tuesday. What were the goals and were they met?

The updated list of hostages to be freed today is made up of only eight hostages — six women and two children. Hamas is claiming that the two Israeli-Russian women released last night as a “gesture” to Russian President Vladimir Putin will count toward today’s list. We also have heard that three bodies will be returned.

Yesterday, Hamas’s military wing asserted Shiri Bibas, 32, and her children, four-year-old Ariel and 10-month-old Kfir, were killed in an Israeli strike during the war in the Strip. What do we know?

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog November 30, 2023

Three killed, 6 injured in terror shooting at Jerusalem entrance bus stop

After last-minute deal, Israel confirms Gaza truce with Hamas to extend at least 1 day

Amid Gaza war, IDF steps up West Bank raids to quell potential additional front

12 Israeli women and teens, 4 Thais, released from Hamas captivity under truce deal

IDF investigating ‘cruel’ Hamas claim that Bibas children, mother killed in Gaza

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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ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE: Members of the Hamas and the Islamic Jihad release Israeli hostages to the Red Cross, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, November 28, 2023. (Flash90)

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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 54 of the war. Senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and Knesset correspondent Carrie Keller-Lynn join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's podcast.

Underage and female Palestinian security prisoners are released at a ratio of three inmates per hostage freed. Keller-Lynn explains what is the range of crimes committed by the freed prisoners.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Tuesday threatened to break apart the government if Israel does not restart its war with Hamas, currently on a negotiated pause. Are these idle threats?

Rettig Gur delves into why Israelis are restraining themselves to swallow a pause in fighting as hostages are released, but unlikely to support any cessation to the fighting in Gaza.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog November 29, 2023

10 Israeli and 2 Thai hostages arrive back in Israel after 53 days in Gaza captivity

Attempted murder, shootings, bombings: Most freed Palestinians were held for attacks

Ben Gvir threatens to tear down government if war not resumed

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

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

IMAGE: Illustrative: Israeli artillery unit stationed near the Israeli border with Lebanon, northern Israel, November 15, 2023. (Ayal Margolin/Flash90)

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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.

Today is day 53 of the war. Political correspondent Tal Schneider and Arab affairs reporter Luca Pacchiani join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Schneider talks about the details emerging about the conditions of the hostages' captivity, as four separate groups of hostages have been released, and the Hamas propaganda surrounding the release of each group.

Pacchiani discusses comments by Fatah's Jabril Rajoub about the October 7 massacres, and the rise of support for Hamas in the West Bank, including Ramallah, headquarters of the Palestinian Authority and Fatah.

Pacchiani also talks about an interview with Lebanese Christian Jonathan Elkhoury, raised in Haifa, and now a voice of advocacy for Israel on US college campuses.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog November 28, 2023

9 children, including 3-year-old twins, and 2 mothers released from Hamas captivity

Daughter of critically ill 84-year-old freed hostage: Red Cross ‘abandoned’ her

Israel and Hamas agree to extend Gaza truce by two days, say US, Qatar

Senior Fatah official justifies Oct. 7 massacre as ‘defensive war’ against Israel

Lebanese Israeli advocate on US colleges post-Oct. 7: ‘Many don’t see Israelis as humans’

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

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

IMAGE: Renana Gome (middle) with her sons, Yagil (left) and Or, reunited after the boys' release from Hamas captivity since October 7, 2023 (Courtesy)

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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 52 of the war. Reporter Canaan Lidor and legal reporter Jeremy Sharon join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's podcast.

Last night, 14 Israeli citizens returned to Israel: nine children, two mothers, two more women, and one man from Gaza. We discuss how their communities received news of their return, with mixed emotions.

Israeli security forces captured several dozen of the 3,000 terrorists involved in the atrocities of October 7. Sharon looks at the options in front of Israel for prosecuting the terrorists.

Finally, Lidor visited Abirim, five kilometers from the Lebanon border, and reports on how this community is getting lost in the bureaucratic shuffle, even as most of its citizens have evacuated. 

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog November 27, 2023

14 Israelis, 9 of them children, freed by Hamas on 3rd day of hostages-for-truce deal

Hostage deal forces Nahal Oz survivors into wrenching compromise with reviled Hamas

This Be’eri survivor knows Hamas is manipulating his community. He still wants a deal

Grandfather of two children released from Gaza: ‘We thought we would lose our minds’

Hostages’ release inspires rare joy and relief on Shabbat eve at Hostages Square

How will captured October 7 terrorists be tried, and on what charges?

In the Galilee, hardy residents wonder why the government reneged on evacuating them

THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Stories of civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel

THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

IMAGE: Residents of Kibbutz Kfar Aza watch news of the release of their neighbors in Shefayim on November 26, 2023. (Carrie Keller-Lynn/Times of Israel)

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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 51 of the war. Editor David Horovitz and health reporter Renee Ghert-Zand join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's podcast.

Last night 13 additional Israelis returned to their families as part of the cease-fire agreement brokered by Qatar and the US between Israel and Hamas. We discuss the chaos around the second release process.

Horovitz also speaks to the seemingly increased dissonance between Israel's plans to renew operations in Gaza and world pressure to lengthen the truce -- even indefinitely. 

Ghert-Zand discusses the health of the freed hostages so far and medical professionals' preparations ahead of their release.

Finally, Ghert-Zand brings the stories of two families of fallen soldiers whose organs were donated.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog November 26, 2023

13 Israelis, including 8 children, freed by Hamas after 50 days held hostage in Gaza

Coming home: Health Ministry discloses strict protocols for treating freed hostages

Grieving their fallen soldier sons, families donate their organs, spread life

THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Stories of civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel

THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

IMAGE: Israelis attend a rally calling for the release of Israelis held hostage in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, November 25, 2023. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

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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 50 of the war. Political correspondent Tal Schneider and Knesset reporter Carrie Keller-Lynn join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's podcast.

Last night 13 Israelis returned to their families as part of the cease-fire agreement brokered by Qatar and the US between Israel and Hamas. Another 13 are expected to be released shortly today. We discuss the nail-biting release process and the happy reunions.

Israel needs to “pay” for every one Israeli with three Palestinian prisoners. Who are the prisoners who are being released?

During this ceasefire, the expectation is that there will be an increase in humanitarian aid trucks allowed into the Gaza Strip. Is that happening so far?

Finally, even as international women’s organizations are still silent on the mass rapes committed by Hamas on October 7, today marks the United Nations-sponsored International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Keller Lynn reported on a troubling new trend in calls to crisis lines since the war.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog November 25, 2023

Israel awaits 2nd group of hostages to be freed Saturday late-afternoon

13 Israelis, including 4 kids, back in Israel after held hostage in Gaza for 49 days

Domestic violence exacerbated by wartime, raising concerns over looser gun policies

THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Stories of civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel

THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

IMAGE: Doron Asher and her daughters Raz and Aviv after their release from Hamas captivity on November 24, 2023.(Israel Defense Forces)

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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 49 of the war. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian and US bureau chief Jacob Magid join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's podcast.

Seventy IDF soldiers have fallen during the Gaza ground offensive as of the commencement of the temporary ceasefire this morning. Fabian explains how the IDF is maintaining its hold on its control of the northern Gaza Strip during this pause of offensive operations.

Hezbollah launched dozens of rockets at northern Israel on Thursday in one of the largest barrages fired from Lebanon since October 7, sending thousands of people in northern towns and communities rushing to bomb shelters. How does this coincide with its stated plan to join in the Gaza ceasefire? 

Magid brings US concerns over the number of aid trucks currently entering the Strip, as well as a pressing request that the IDF present detailed plans for the population of southern Gaza as the military turns its eyes there.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog November 24, 2023

As sides confirm truce Friday, Israel notifies families of 13 hostages set to be freed

Hamas commander killed ahead of truce; Gallant: War will resume for at least 2 months

Hezbollah hits Israel with heavy rocket barrages, anti-tank missile attacks

US officials say Israel likely can’t make good on hostage deal promise to up Gaza aid

THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Stories of civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel

THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

IMAGE: View of the 'Hostage Square' in Tel Aviv, November 23, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

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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 48 of the war. Zman Yisrael editor Biranit Goren and Tech Israel editor Sharon Wrobel join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's podcast.

70 soldiers have fallen during the Gaza ground offensive as of this morning. Instead of an expected ceasefire that was meant to begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, the hostage release deal has been pushed off until Friday, according to reports. We hear from Goren how this played out.

Wrobel reported this week that the war with the Hamas terror group is costing Israel at least NIS 1 billion ($269 million) per day. How was this figure arrived at?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday agreed to extend the tenure of Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron for a second term following months of speculation. But convinced whom here?

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog November 23, 2023

War with Hamas costs NIS 1b a day, hitting economy harder than previous conflicts

Worker absence due to war poses main hurdle for manufacturers – survey

Bank of Israel head agrees to 2nd term following nod from Netanyahu and Smotrich

THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Stories of civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel

THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

IMAGE: The destruction caused by Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, near the Israeli-Gaza border, in southern Israel, as seen on November 21, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

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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 47 of the war. Editor David Horovitz and culture editor Jessica Steinberg join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's podcast.

69 soldiers have fallen in Gaza as of Wednesday morning and the IDF says it’s continuing to operate in the Gaza Strip, with ground forces clashing with Hamas operatives, and strikes being carried out against the terror group’s infrastructure until the timing of a formal ceasefire is reached. The cabinet resoundingly approved a first hostage release deal early this morning. Horovitz explains what Israel is getting and what Israel is giving up.

We hear who were the major players behind the deal as well as how it was received in domestic Israeli politics.

Children and women are the primary focus of the hostage deal. Steinberg gives us a sense of the 38 children being held, their age ranges and how they were taken.

Steinberg, who is spearheading the ToI's covering of the hostages, has met with several of their families. We hear about the Engel and Sharabi families.

Steinberg was inspired in Tel Aviv this week by a series of murals painted for the captured children in coordination with the Free Our Kids IL pop-up grassroots organization. What struck her?

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog November 22, 2023

Cabinet okays deal for release of 50 Israeli hostages in exchange for 4-day Gaza truce

Most politicians welcome hostage deal; Smotrich explains why party ended up voting yes

Behind the scenes of the intense talks that led to the Israel-Hamas hostage deal

The children believed held hostage in Gaza, many of whom could be freed in Hamas deal

‘Life has stopped in the middle’ for families of 3 hostages, connected by teens’ love

Street artists paint Tel Aviv wall murals about child hostages

THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Stories of civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel

THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

IMAGE: An installation of eyes on empty chairs symbol of the people missing and held captive in Gaza, in Tel Aviv Israel, November 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

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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.

Today is day 46 of the war. Senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and reporter Gavriel Fiske join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's podcast.

There are unceasing rumors that a hostage deal and/or a ceasefire are close. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh has released a statement on social media that the group is close to a “truce” agreement. But as of recording time, official Israel is tightlipped on any such deal and concentrating its PR efforts on displaying proof of Hamas’s use of Shifa Hospital as a base and other evidence found in the ground offensive. Rettig Gur expounds on why Israel is so terrible at public diplomacy -- and why it may work in the country's favor.

Reichman University’s Recanati International school launched its fall semester on Sunday. Fiske was there and spoke with several students who left what they felt were antisemitic environments for war-torn Israel.

Finally, Fiske describes Israel's number one hit song of the moment, "Charbu Darbu," an angry hip-hop anthem in support of the war with Hamas.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog November 21, 2023

Antisemitic incidents surged globally since Oct. 7 but most aren’t reported. Here’s why

Hip-hop war anthem reaches number one in Israel

THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Stories of civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel

THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

IMAGE: Illustrative: Hundreds of Canadians attend a rally calling for the release of children held kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, in Toronto, Canada. November 20, 2023. (Doron Horowitz/Flash90)

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