The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

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.

Since US President Donald Trump's whirlwind visit to the Jewish state on Monday of last week, Israel has welcomed a revolving roster of high-level officials visiting the country.

This week saw the arrival of Trump’s senior Middle East advisors Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Vice President JD Vance — and his wife Usha — and also US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

As their visits spur accusations that Israel is becoming a "client" or vassal state of the US, controversial MK Avi Maoz brought a bill that passed in a preliminary reading in the Knesset on Wednesday. The bill would apply Israeli sovereignty to all West Bank settlements despite opposition from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and most, but not all, of his Likud party.

US officials quickly rebuked the annexation efforts in the Knesset, calling them "counterproductive" even as the Trump administration attempts to cement the recent ceasefire into a lasting peace deal.

If the US succeeds, it wouldn't be the first time that an Israeli war was ended through US efforts. This week, Berman takes a historical look at other examples and examines the question of whether Israel is, indeed, relying on its "partner" the US to wind down its wars.

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

IMAGE: Lazar Berman (courtesy)/ From left: Steve Witkoff, US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance sit before President Donald Trump holds a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the State Dining Room of the White House, Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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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.

Political reporter Ariela Karmel and religion and archaeology correspondent Rossella Tercatin join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

At the start of the Knesset's winter session, the Knesset State Control Committee voted down a proposal to establish a state commission of inquiry into the October 7th, 2023, Hamas-led attack, says Karmel, to the dismay, anger, and tears of the bereaved families present, who expected it could happen now that the 20 living hostages have been released home.

The government cabinet voted to rename the war against Hamas as the War of Revival, says Karmel, a proposal floated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for over a year, and with much opposition, given the October 7, 2023, failures that led to the war.

A new bill advanced by coalition lawmakers calls for several religious practices to be enshrined in Israel's public spaces, discusses Karmel, including requiring mezuzahs hung in public institutions and allowing public prayer according to the practices of the worshipper, both major battleground issues between secular and religious communities.

Tercatin discusses how Israelis have changed religiously and spiritually since October 7 and the ensuing war, and whether those changes are more prevalent among those who were already religiously faithful in their previous lives.

She also talks about an unusual archaeological find of an Assyrian inscription near Jerusalem's Temple Mount, with wording that appears to echo an episode described in the Bible.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Knesset panel rejects proposal to establish October 7 state commission of inquiry

‘War of Revival’: Cabinet approves Netanyahu’s controversial renaming of Gaza war

Coalition advances bill mandating mezuzahs, allowing Orthodox rituals in public spaces

What hath God wrought? After Oct. 7, many Israelis respond with turn to spirituality

Biblical tax notice: 1st-ever Assyrian inscription found near Jerusalem’s Temple Mount

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: MK Mickey Levy, Head of the State Control Committee leads a committee meeting at the Knesset on October 20, 2025 (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/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.

US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

As US Vice President JD Vance spends his first day in Israel, Magid discusses Vance's comments about the ceasefire, the continued focus on getting all of the remaining hostages' bodies back, and the question of a possible timeline regarding Hamas disarmament.

Magid also delves into Vance's statements at a press conference in the new Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat. The CMCC is a new hub inside Israel where participating countries will try and monitor the ceasefire, says Magid, adjudicating violations and handling the movement of goods into Gaza, including aid and security forces, in the future.

Vance discussed what role other countries could play, including the question of Turkey and Israel's resistance to that idea, says Magid.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Vance, in Israel, predicts Gaza ‘peace’ will last, says Hamas disarmament non-negotiable

US military says ceasefire HQ will be able ‘to assess real-time developments in Gaza’

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: U.S. Vice President JD Vance speak to the media as U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner stand next to him, in Kiryat Gat, Israel, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

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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.

ToI founding editor David Horovitz joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

With the body of hostage Tal Haimi returned to Israel, Horovitz discusses the resilience of and emotional toll on the remaining 15 hostages' families awaiting their loved ones, and whether Hamas is playing games in the slowed process of returning the bodies.

As US Vice President JD Vance arrives in Israel, Horovitz talks about his presence in Israel alongside US special envoy Steve Witkoff and White House advisor Jared Kushner, all part of the overt American role in seeing the ceasefire carried out to its conclusion.

The Knesset's raucous opening session on Monday reveals deep divisions, says Horovitz, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech aimed to frame the conflict as a victory for Israel, alongside the continued battle over the legitimacy of the Supreme Court.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Hamas hands over body of hostage Tal Haimi, slain defending his kibbutz on Oct. 7

Vance lands in Israel as US said to fear Netanyahu could collapse Gaza ceasefire

Smiles, hugs abound as Witkoff and Kushner meet with released hostages

Ohana snubs Supreme Court president at Knesset’s opening session, sparking turmoil

‘War of Revival’: Cabinet approves Netanyahu’s controversial renaming of Gaza war

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Pod-Waves.

 IMAGE: Vice President J.D. Vance, right, and Second Lady Usha Vance arrive at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Oct. 21, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

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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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and diplomatic reporter Nava Freiberg join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

As US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and fellow advisor Jared Kushner arrive in Israel, Berman discusses that Israel has fulfilled its first steps in the ceasefire involving Palestinian prisoners and the 'Yellow Line' to which the IDF has withdrawn in the Gaza Strip, but that Hamas has not kept its part of the bargain, with the remaining 16 hostages' bodies still held in Gaza, and the Hamas attack in Gaza Sunday that killed two soldiers.

Witkoff and Kushner will meet with Israel's high-ranking officials and cabinet, says Berman, as two US advisors aim to safeguard the tenuous ceasefire that is one week old.

The two US advisors appeared on "60 Minutes" on Sunday night, discusses Frieberg, unveiling details of the process and the steps that led to the announcement of the first stage of the ceasefire deal, and aspects of the more personal conversations with Hamas officials that helped push things forward.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Hamas isn’t acting like a defeated force, which puts the entire Gaza ceasefire at risk

Netanyahu denies Trump forced truce on him, says war ends ‘for good’ when Hamas disarmed

Hamas says it returned 2 more bodies of hostages; remains taken to forensic lab for ID

Israel says resuming Gaza ceasefire after deadly attack on troops led to massive strikes

Kushner: Israel must improve Palestinians’ lives if it wants ‘integration’ into region

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves.

IMAGE: A billboard shows images of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US President Donald Trump, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Tel Aviv on October 12, 2025. (REUTERS/Hannah McKay)

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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.

Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

As two more hostages'  bodies are released to Israel, leaving 16 captives' bodies in Gaza, Fabian discusses the moment when Hamas will not be able to locate additional bodies and will require the help of other countries, creating a longer process.

With terror operatives attacking Israeli troops in Gaza on a nearly daily basis, Fabian talks about reaching the end of war, with IDF troops still operating in more than half of the Gaza Strip's territory, demolishing tunnels, and enforcing the yellow line of withdrawal.

After two soldiers were wounded by an explosive device in the West Bank, Fabian discusses whether this denotes a significant increase in activity in the area, given that incidents have been on a downturn since the start of the war. 

He also looks at an IDF strike that killed a Hezbollah operative in southern Lebanon, another breach of the nearly year-long ceasefire as individual operatives haven't given up, and which is why the IDF is still present in the area.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Ronen Engel, Thailand’s Sonthaya Oakkharasr identified as hostage bodies returned by Hamas

Hamas says it returned 2 more bodies of hostages; remains taken to forensic lab for ID

2 troops wounded by bomb thrown in West Bank; reports of settler attacks on Palestinians

IDF says strike kills Hezbollah operative acting in breach of truce in southern Lebanon

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves.

IMAGE: Hamas uses bulldozers to search for the bodies of Israeli hostages held in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on October 18, 2025. (Photo by Saeed Mohammed/Flash90)

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Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with author and public intellectual Micah Goodman.

Looking to the French for historical framing, Goodman proposes that Israel is on the brink of a new epoch -- the third Israeli republic.

The author of influential works such as “Catch-67” hypothesizes that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's signing on to US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan signals a tectonic shift in political alignment -- away from extremism. 

Today, says Goodman, as most Israelis turn their eyes to a horizon of normalization with Arab and Muslim countries, the fundamental division in Israeli politics is not between the left and the right, but rather the right and the far-right, he says.

As the war winds down and grassroots activists prepare for the October 2026 elections, Goodman proposes that most Israelis are not far apart in their key values, and unity can prevail to bring to fruition a new political era.

And so this week, we ask Micah Goodman, what matters now.

What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: Micah Goodman (courtesy) / Israeli excavators work in the Gaza Strip as the sun sets, seen from southern Israel, October 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

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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.

US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

The US doesn't believe Hamas is dragging its feet in finding the remaining hostage bodies, says Magid, and believes it will take time, and perhaps the help of other countries. The Trump administration is determined to reach phase two of the ceasefire, including demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, and moving into the next stages of rebuilding Gaza, but Israel is nervous to begin that process without completing the hostage phase of the deal.

The public executions in Gaza have raised alarm and prompted a shift in US rhetoric, according to Magid. At first, US President Donald Trump appeared to greenlight what he considered to be the warfare between Hamas and Gazan gangs or clans, likening them to situations in the US, but then said if the Hamas executions of these clans continue, he will allow Israel to go after them.

Magid also examines the efforts to move into phase two of the ceasefire deal by diplomats involved in the process. They are the ones who initially recognized that it made sense to split the ceasefire deal in two and deal with the hostages first. Now, however, Hamas is the only dominant power in Gaza, and the longer the delay in establishing governance, the stronger Hamas's position becomes.

Diplomats stress the urgency of providing services to Palestinians to reduce reliance on Hamas, says Magid. He discusses the efforts to put together a list of technocrats to run Gaza, and that each participating stakeholder wants good ties with the governing body.

US denies Hamas violating deal, is aiming to set up safe zone for Gazans fleeing group

Trump: If Hamas doesn’t stop killing Gazans, ‘we will have no choice but to go in and kill them’

Slowed establishment of postwar Gaza government fuels Hamas revival, diplomats warn

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves.

IMAGE: Hossam al-Astal (center) is seen surrounded by armed members of his group, 'Strike Force Against Terror,' in an undated picture from the Gaza Strip posted on Facebook. (Courtesy: Hossam al-Astal via Facebook)

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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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

As Hamas announced it has handed over to Israel all the bodies of hostages it can find, Berman asks whether Hamas is playing games or whether it really can't locate the remaining 19 bodies. The prevailing thought in the cabinet is that Hamas could access more if it wanted to, and therefore Israel will slowly ramp up the pressure on Hamas -- for now, blocking the entry of reconstruction materials.

Berman also discusses the question of whether the war against Hamas has ended;  Israel hasn’t declared an end and wants to keep the military threat hanging over Hamas’s head unless it moves forward with its obligations under the peace plan.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was diagnosed with bronchitis on Wednesday, in the thick of his resumed corruption trial. Berman notes that the prime minister, who is about to turn 76 and is not in perfect health, had been in close contact with recently released hostages whose immune systems have been compromised.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Hamas returns bodies of hostages Tamir Nimrodi, Uriel Baruch, Eitan Levy; 4th body a Palestinian

Senior Israeli official insists Gaza war ‘not over’ until all truce phases complete

Trial hearing ends early for ill Netanyahu, who’s accused of exposing freed hostages to disease

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

IMAGE: With 19 deceased hostages still in Hamas captivity, in violation of the deal, protesters gathered on Begin Road in Tel Aviv to call for their release on October 15, 2025 (Credit: Adi Levi/Israeli Pro-Democracy Protest Movement)

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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.

Culture editor Jessica Steinberg joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Steinberg, who has covered hostages' families and their struggle to return their loved ones for the past two years, relates several anecdotes of reunions and other moving moments. We hear about how several favored performing artists have delivered personal performances to their freshly freed fans and about a pair of prankster brothers.

At recording time, a total of seven of the eight hostage bodies returned by Hamas over the past two days have been identified. They are named as: Yossi Sharabi, Cpt. Daniel Perez, Bipin Joshi, Guy Illouz, Uriel Baruch, Tamir Nimrodi, and Eitan Levy. A fourth body transferred last night does not belong to a hostage, according to the IDF. We hear about the bereaved families who are again ramping up the protests to close the circle on this painful chapter.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

4 bodies, purportedly of unnamed hostages, return to Israel after threat to limit aid

‘Coming back to life’: Freed hostages’ families give updates, thanks; some snub PM

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves.

IMAGE: Relatives of hostages whose bodies are still in Gaza Strip shout slogans calling for their release at the plaza known as Hostages Square, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

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