The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

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.

Zman Yisrael editor Biranit Goren and military reporter Emanuel Fabian join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

It is day 26 of the war. We begin with the names of the fallen soldiers from yesterday's heavy fighting in the northern Gaza Strip and hear about the operations in which they fell.

Yesterday, the Arrow air defense system intercepted a surface-to-surface missile launched from Yemen. It was the first operational use of the long-range system during the war with Hamas. We hear about what else we are seeing from the Houthis and an increased IDF presence on the Red Sea.

Fabian updates on continued Hezbollah aggression along the northern border.

Finally, foreign passport holders are reportedly leaving the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing in a deal reportedly brokered by Qatar. How involved is the IDF in such openings and closings?

Goren describes how one fallen soldier, Lavi Lipschitz, moved her and why.

Goren gives us a slice of what it is like to be an Israeli watching the anti-Israel protests rife around the world even as the country battles on several fronts.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog November 1, 2023

Israel says 10 soldiers killed in battles deep inside Gaza, as military toll mounts

2 IDF soldiers killed in Gaza as troops take Hamas post, kill commander, 50 terrorists

In first, Arrow downs Eilat-bound missile from ‘Red Sea area’; Houthis claim 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

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

IMAGE: Detail from 'Warriors' Rest,' a photograph taken by Staff Sgt. Lavi Lipshitz on August 17, 2023. Lipshitz was killed in fighting in the Gaza Strip on October 31, 2023. (Instagram till_when_photo_diary)

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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.

Knesset reporter Carrie Keller-Lynn and Tech Israel editor Sharon Wrobel join host Jessica Steinberg on today's episode.

Today is day 25 of the war, marked by the return of kidnapped soldier Ori Megidish who was rescued by IDF forces in an overnight raid, proof, said Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, that Israel can rescue hostages as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismisses calls for a ceasefire, calling that a surrender to Hamas.

Keller-Lynn discusses the sit-down Gallant held with reporters, in which he delineated phases of the war, currently, he said in its second phase, and expected to take many months in order to rid Gaza of Hamas.

Wrobel describes the situation at the Ashdod and Haifa ports, as international shipping companies try to understand those locations vis a vis Gaza and the war with Hamas.

Keller-Lynn talks about visit to Kibbutz Nir Oz with Hadas Calderon, who survived the October 7 massacre with two of her children, while her mother and niece were killed and her two other children and ex-husband are captives in Gaza.

Steinberg mentions the opening of Empty Beds, an installation at Jerusalem's Safra Square of 230 beds, representing each person taken captive or missing since October 7.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog October 31, 2023

Gallant: Second stage of war may last months, ‘pockets of resistance’ will remain

In Jerusalem, hundreds of empty beds and cribs bring home enormity of hostage crisis

New National Library opens its doors to readers, semiofficially

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: Defense Minister Yoav Gallant speaks with soldiers at staging area not far from the Gaza border, October 19, 2023 (Photo by Chaim Goldberg/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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and news editor Amy Spiro join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

Today is day 24 of the war, which Israeli officials said on Saturday is now in its second stage. The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting this afternoon on Israel’s ground incursion in Gaza and the humanitarian plight of Palestinians there at the request of the United Arab Emirates. Why is it the UAE that asked for this emergency meeting?

The IDF says ground operations continued in the northern Gaza Strip overnight, with troops killing dozens of Hamas members who barricaded themselves in buildings and tried to attack troops. Is this the ground incursion Berman has been expecting?

Yesterday, Berman spent time with a tank unit on the northern border and reports back. He later made his way to Ashdod to speak with Gazan mothers of children who are receiving medical care in Israel. We hear what they said.

Spiro has been spearheading our Those We Have Lost series, in which we aim to give a slice of the personalities of the 1,400 who have been killed since October 7. We hear some stories of the fallen and how she brings their lives into focus and not only their deaths.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog October 28, 2023

IDF says dozens of Gaza gunmen killed overnight; tanks seen on outskirts of Gaza City

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: An Israeli soldier with a prayer shawl seen during a morning prayer near his tank near the border with Lebanon, northern Israel, October 25, 2023. (Michael Giladi/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.

Editor David Horovitz and reporter Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

We are in day 23 of the war, which erupted on October 7 after some 2,500 Hamas terrorists broke down the border with the Gaza Strip to commit a massacre of some 1,400 and acts of brutality. There are now 230 hostages in Gaza, according to the IDF.

Last night Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the second stage of the campaign to destroy Hamas had begun with an expanding ground offensive into the Gaza Strip. What was said at the press conference?

Following the press conference, Netanyahu posted a now-deleted tweet assigning blame to the security and defense services for failures ahead of the October 7 massacres. Horovitz weighs in on just how united a front the emergency government is -- and why that's not what's important now.

Surkes reports on time she recently spent time with asylum seekers, including Darfur refugees, who are an integral part of the volunteer war effort.

We hear harrowing and amazing stories of bravery, including Border Police superintendent Shira Buchris at the October 7 Supernova rave and a resourceful Filipina caregiver Camille Jesalva, who saved her 95-year-old client. For dessert we hear about three animal rescues, as well.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog October 28, 2023

PM announces 2nd stage of war, with broad ground offensive; says ‘Never Again’ is now

Netanyahu sharply criticized for post blaming intelligence chiefs for Oct. 7 failure

With memories of atrocities in Africa still vivid, asylum seekers are helping Israel

Filipino caregiver paid off terrorist, saved herself and 95-year-old employer

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: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defense Yoav Galant, and head of the National Unity party Benny Gantz hold a joint press conference at the Ministry of Defense, in Tel Aviv on October 28, 2023. (Dana Kopel/POOL)

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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.

Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian and US bureau chief Jacob Magid join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

It is day 22 of the war which erupted three weeks ago today when Hamas invaded Israel, taking some 230 hostages into the Gaza Strip — 30 of them children — and killing 1,400, including entire families. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says Israel has “moved to a new phase” in the war against Hamas, after ground forces again pushed into Gaza and the air force bombarded terror targets in the Strip overnight. So what is this “new phase”?

We hear updates on Hezbollah activities on the northern border and Houthi misfires near Taba in the Sinai peninsula.

Yesterday, a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza was overwhelmingly passed by the United Nations General Assembly. But Magid explains which group was not actually named in the Jordanian-driven resolution.

There have been leaks from Egyptian and Qatari officials that progress is being made on the hostage negotiations. Magid shares what he knows.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog October 28, 2023

Gallant says Israel has ‘moved to new phase’ in war against Hamas: ‘The earth in Gaza shook’
 
IAF strikes 150 Hamas tunnels, bunkers; tanks in Gaza; Gallant: War entered new phase

UN resolution urging immediate Gaza ceasefire passes with overwhelming majority

Israel dismisses ‘rumors’ of progress in indirect hostage negotiations with Hamas

Hostage negotiators say pilloried Israeli envoy a nonfactor in talks

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: Smoke rises during Israeli airstrikes, in the Gaza Strip, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, on October 28, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/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.

Legal correspondent Jeremy Sharon and Arab Affairs reporter Gianluca Pacchiani join host Jessica Steinberg on today's episode.

It is day 21 of the war and as IDF says it carried out limited ground raid overnight, Jeremy Sharon discusses laws of war in Gaza, along with issues of water and electricity.

Pacchiani describes the lifestyle of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh who does not live in Gaza but in Gulf monarchy Qatar, which has taken on a primary role in negotiating for the 220 hostages held in Gaza by Hamas.

Hamas fundraised for its October 7 assault on Israel using cryptocurrency accounts, and Pacchiani explains the process.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog October 27, 2023

Is the IDF’s ongoing Gaza operation complying with the laws of war?

Far from Gaza hardships, Hamas chief and family enjoy easy life in Qatar

Qatar agrees to review Hamas ties after Gaza hostage situation resolved – report

Terrorists raised $130m in crypto since 2021; sought more via social media after 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

IMAGE: Palestinian fill water in the street in Gaza City, October 12, 2023 (Photo by Atia Mohammed/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.

Military reporter Emanuel Fabian and senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

We are in day 20 of the war and the IDF says that overnight it carried out a “targeted raid” in the northern part of the Gaza Strip with infantry forces and tanks. Fabian elaborates.

Hamas launched a massive barrage of rockets toward central and southern Israel on Wednesday evening, lightly wounding six people, following several days with fewer missiles fired from Gaza. We also heard about missiles launched toward Eilat. Fabian explains what this means and addresses what's happening on the northern border and in the West Bank.

Rights groups are saying Israeli settlers in the West Bank have committed over 100 assaults against Palestinians since the start of Israel’s war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, sometimes under the protection of soldiers. Rettig Gur gives perspective.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog October 26, 2023

IDF tanks, troops briefly push into Gaza Strip ahead of ground offensive

6 lightly hurt in rocket barrage from Gaza toward central, southern Israel

Settlers rampage through Palestinian olive grove, harass activists in West Bank

Rights group reports over 100 assaults by settlers on Palestinians since war’s start

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: Israeli reserve soldiers seen in the Golan Heights during a military training before heading to the Israeli-Gaza border, on October 25, 2023. (Michael Giladi/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.

Zman Yisrael editor Biranit Goren and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

We are on day 19 of the war, which erupted on October 7 when some 2,500 Hamas terrorists invaded Israel in a bloody massacre that left 1,400 — mostly civilians — dead, some 220 taken hostage and about 200,000 internally displaced Israelis.

The IDF has said that a number of Hamas terrorists attempted to infiltrate Israel from the Gaza Strip via the sea on Tuesday evening and were killed by Israeli Navy forces. Berman updates us with the past 24 hours' operations.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appeared to suggest the impetus for the Hamas terror group’s devastating October 7 attack on Israel was the Jewish state’s continued control of Palestinian territories. What exactly was said here?

Israel rejoiced at the news of the additional two hostages who were freed on Monday night, 85-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz and 79-year-old Nurit Cooper. Lifshitz, whose husband is among the 220 other hostages still in Gaza, held a press conference yesterday. Goren explores what happened there.

Berman digs into Israel’s fighting record over the past 30 years and the IDF’s deep reluctance to order ground troops into battle.

And finally, Goren explains why so many of the captured and killed in the October 7 Hamas invasion were life-long peace activists.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog October 25, 2023

IDF says sea-borne Hamas infiltration thwarted, two terrorists killed

Israel demands UN chief resign after he says Hamas attacks ‘did not occur in vacuum’

Freed Hamas hostage recounts ordeal, slams Israeli failures, speaks well of captors

Israel has shunned ground operations for decades. Is it still looking for a way out?

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: Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen speaks during a Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters, October 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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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.

Political correspondent Tal Schneider and Knesset reporter Carrie Keller-Lynn join host Jessica Steinberg on today's episode.

Schneider discusses latest on hostages and presence of French President Emmanuel Macron as vital to the possible escalation with Hezbollah.

Keller-Lynn said foreign press wanted additional proof of rape and beheadings after seeing images of Hamas atrocities released by IDF.

Schneider and Keller-Lynn discuss status of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu right now, who hasn't spoken in Hebrew to local press in months and whose poll results have dipped dramatically.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog October 24, 2023

IDF shows foreign press Hamas bodycam videos, photos of murder, torture, decapitation

Wartime Knesset pushes municipal elections to January 30, instead of next week

After blowing up ties with the media, Netanyahu now fears taking questions in wartime

Designers sew for combat soldiers, pivoting from fashion to function

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

IMAGE: Freed Israeli hostage Yocheved Lifshitz speaks to press at Ichilov hospital in Tel Aviv on October 24, 2023 (Photo by Avshalom Sassoni/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.

Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian and reporter Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

The New York Times has reported that the IDF’s expected ground incursion following the invasion of Hamas terrorist soldiers on October 7 is again delayed, this time because the White House wants Israel to allow more time for negotiations over the hostages held by terrorists in Gaza and for aid to enter the Strip. How may this affect the success of the ground operation?

Fabian updates on what's been happening on all borders. The IDF has called for the evacuation of 14 more settlements in the north. On the Gaza border, we have we been seeing a holding pattern in the past few days. There are again reports of strikes on Syria and according to foreign reports, both the Aleppo and Damascus airports are out of commission. How do these alleged strikes help staunch conflict in the north?

Yesterday morning, Israeli forces carried out an airstrike on the al-Ansari mosque in Jenin. What was suspected and then uncovered under this mosque?

Surkes describes her trip to the Expo Tel Aviv International Conference Center, a hive and hub on social activism during this war effort.

Some 30,000 Thai farmhands were employed in Israel until the war with Hamas broke out, with around 5,000 of them working in communities close to the Gaza Strip, where 75% of the country’s vegetables are grown. Surkes gives us an update on what is happening with them.

We hear about reserve captain Sagi Golan, who was killed 13 days before his wedding to his boyfriend, part of our ongoing series, Those We Have Lost, stories of civilians and soldiers who have fallen since October 7.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog October 23, 2023

Soldier killed, 3 hurt following Hamas attack on troops near Gaza

IDF hits 4 more Hezbollah squads as 14 more communities evacuated on Lebanon border

Israeli strikes said to knock Damascus, Aleppo airports out of commission

IDF carries out airstrike on terror cell at Jenin mosque planning ‘murderous attack’

In stunning response, 15,000 volunteers fill leadership vacuum to help victims of Hamas

Thai laborers, the ‘working hands’ of Israeli farming, pay with blood

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: Members of the tactical unit of the Yamas patrol in Kibbutz Be'eri, near the Israeli-Gaza border, southern Israel. October 22, 2023. Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90

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