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.

Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Coffins holding what are believed to be the bodies of four slain hostages were driven across the border from the Gaza Strip back into Israel this morning, 503 days after they were abducted alive by Hamas-led terrorists. The four were named by Israel and by their terrorist captors as Shiri Bibas, Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz, all kidnapped from their homes in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023.

In today's episode, we hear about two ceremonies conducted this morning: one, a cynically staged Hamas propaganda fest in Gaza; the other held by the IDF in the Gaza Strip led by IDF Chief Rabbi Brig. Gen. Eyal Karim.

We learn what the Bibas family and Oded Lifshitz represent to Israeli society and how their families are reacting to the apparent return of their bodies.

We also preview Saturday's planned release of six living male hostages, including how they were likely chosen, and discuss a Hamas offer to release all remaining hostages in one go in a potential phase two of the ongoing ceasefire-hostage release deal.

Please see today's ongoing live blog for more updates.

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

For further reading:

The worst news of all

Bodies believed to be of 4 slain hostages brought to Israel, 503 days after they were taken alive

Bibas and Lifshitz hostage families cling to hope, say they’ll await final identification of bodies

These are the six living hostages set to be released Saturday

IMAGE: Palestinian terrorists carry one of the coffins said to carry the bodies of four slain Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in Khan Younis in the Gaza on February 20, 2025. (Eyad BABA / AFP)

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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 Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

In a surprise move, six living hostages will be released on Saturday, including Israelis Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who have been held by Hamas since entering the Strip on their own in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The other four — Tal Shoham, Omer Shem-Tov, Omer Wenkert, and Eliya Cohen — were kidnapped during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel. Why are six being released versus the agreed-upon three, and why is Hamas offering a much more generous phase 2 deal?

Former White House Mideast czar Brett McGurk last week penned his first op-ed since leaving government, taking the opportunity to defend the Biden administration’s handling of the hostage negotiations and insisting that Hamas was consistently the obstacle to an agreement. We hear Magid's thoughts on McGurk's statements, as well as the timing of them.

Israel’s envoy to the United States has accused Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi of violating the US-brokered peace deal between Jerusalem and Cairo, profiting from the desperation of Palestinians seeking to flee the Gaza Strip and duplicitously operating to benefit Hamas. This comes as Egypt is working with Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to formulate a day-after plan for Gaza. Magid weighs in. 

Please see today's ongoing live blog for more updates.

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

For further reading:

These are the six living hostages set to be released Saturday

6 hostages to be freed Sat.; Hamas says bodies of Bibas mom, kids set for Thurs. return

News of Bibas family’s tragic fate met with confusion, mourning and rage

Biden’s Mideast czar says Trump ‘right to stand firmly by Israel’ on hostage deal

Arab plan for Gaza could involve up to $20 billion regional contribution

Israel’s US envoy: Egypt’s Sissi is breaking peace deal, ‘playing both sides’ with Hamas

IMAGE: Palestinian Hamas terrorist fighters in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on February 15, 2025. (Eyad BABA / AFP)

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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 reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Today as the extended deadline for IDF withdrawal from Lebanon under the US-brokered ceasefire expires, Defense Minister Israel Katz said, “Starting today, the IDF will remain in a buffer zone in Lebanon in five strategic outposts and will continue to enforce forcefully and without compromise against any violation by Hezbollah.” Fabian explains why these five points and whether there is now a "buffer zone" on the border.

Israel is expecting to receive the bodies of four hostages from Hamas on Thursday under the provisions of the first stage of an ongoing ceasefire deal with the Palestinian terror group. We hear how the IDF is preparing to receive the bodies and how the families will eventually be informed of their identities.

Even as Egypt is working towards a proposal for rebuilding Gaza, Defense Minister Katz has called for a new directorate in the Defense Ministry tasked with enabling Palestinians to “voluntarily” leave the Gaza Strip, as per US President Donald Trump’s stated plans. Fabian weighs in.

The Israel Defense Forces said it carried out a pair of drone strikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday — one targeting a group of gunmen who were approaching Israeli forces in one area and the other as a warning when a car drove near soldiers in another. We hear how all is not calm on the ground in Gaza.

The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it had completed its investigations into its failures during the lead-up to the Hamas terror group’s October 7, 2023, onslaught, and would begin to present its findings next Tuesday. We learn what the investigations should -- or should not -- unveil.

Please see today's ongoing live blog for more updates.

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

For further reading:

Lebanese army says it’s deploying in southern border villages as IDF withdraws

IDF to remain in five strategic posts in south Lebanon after Tuesday withdrawal

Israel says it is preparing for Hamas to return bodies of four hostages on Thursday

Egypt developing plan to rebuild Gaza as counter to Trump’s call to depopulate area

Katz announces new panel tasked with advancing ‘voluntary’ emigration of Gazans

Hamas said to agree to cede Gaza governance to PA; Netanyahu: ‘Not going to happen’

IDF drone strike hits gunmen in southern Gaza; three Hamas cops reportedly killed

IDF completes all October 7 probes, will start presenting them next week

IMAGE: A map showing the locations of five IDF posts in southern Lebanon that troops will remain deployed to after a February 18, 2025, deadline. (Times of Israel; OpenStreetMap)

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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.

Following US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's Sunday visit in Israel, Berman discusses the seemingly coordinated statements made by Rubio and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The prime minister spoke about the deep synchronicity between him and the Trump administration, a relationship Netanyahu says he has cultivated for years, leading to an unprecedented opportunity in Israel's history.

Berman notes that there did not seem to be any pressure to discuss the second phase of the hostage deal, until Trump's Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff commented later on a Fox News interview that the second phase will happen, with talks happening this week.

Following Witkoff's statement, the Prime Minister's Office said a negotiating team would go to Cairo for the talks, and the cabinet is meeting Monday night. Berman notes there appears to be pressure from the Trump team, but it's unclear what Netanyahu wants.

There's a paradox regarding the second phase of the hostage talks, says Berman, which calls for the end of the war, yet Hamas can't remain in power in Gaza, and it still retains forces and power in the region.

Please see today's ongoing live blog for more updates.

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

For further reading:

Trump envoy says there will ‘absolutely’ be stage 2 of ceasefire, as talks continue

Hosting Rubio, Netanyahu says ‘gates of hell will surely open’ if all hostages not freed

Former Israeli hostage negotiator says Israel missed two windows for deal

Netanyahu cagey on Israel’s next steps as Trump deadline to free all hostages passes

IMAGE: Protestors blocking Namir Road in Tel Aviv on the 500th day of captivity, with signs that read, 'President Trump, leave no hostage behind - 500 days in hell' on February 17, 2025 (Credit: Dana Reany/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.

Times of Israel founding editor David Horovitz joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

As certain details emerge regarding the 15-month captivity of the three hostages released on Saturday, Horovitz discusses the scraps of information shared so far, including what's known about Iair Horn's brother Eitan, who is still a captive, that Sagui Dekel-Chen was tortured, and the potential implications of any information that is shared. 

Horovitz also reviews the latest in the hostage deal, how many hostages remain to be released in the first stage and the delayed start to negotiations for the second stage of the ceasefire. He discusses whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is debating whether to return to negotiations and what kind of leverage US President Donald Trump has in this situation. 

Horovitz also discusses comments made by a former Israeli hostage negotiator regarding the missed opportunities for a hostage deal months earlier while the Prime Minister's Office offered an official statement dismissing the accusations.

Please see today's ongoing live blog for more updates.

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

For further reading:

Hours after release, freed hostages talk of Hamas torture, psychological torment

Netanyahu cagey on Israel’s next steps as Trump deadline to free all hostages passes

Former Israeli hostage negotiator says Israel missed two windows for deal

IMAGE: Freed hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen is reunited with his wife Avital on his return to Israel after 498 days in captivity in Gaza, February 15, 2025. (IDF)

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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 reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Released hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn crossed back into Israel this morning after being paraded on a stage in southern Gaza in a propaganda-filled release ceremony by the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror groups after 498 days in captivity. Fabian fills us in on the ceremony and their health status. We learn about how the IDF has handled the heightened tensions in the Gaza Strip this past week and its readiness to return to war-footing.

In a meeting on Friday morning, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi apologized to four recently released hostage soldiers for their warnings not being treated seriously before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, as well as for their long captivity. Halevi met with Agam Berger, Liri Albag, Naama Levy and Karina Ariev, who were released from Hamas captivity after some 15 months. We learn what else was leaked from the meeting.

The outgoing deputy commander of UNIFIL was injured Friday, the international peacekeeping force said, after a convoy taking troops to the Beirut airport was attacked amid pro-Hezbollah demonstrations in the area. This occurred as the IDF is reluctantly readying a drawdown from Lebanon on February 18 -- which may or may not be its final withdrawal of troops, reports Fabian.

Finally, we hear updates on the ongoing counter-terrorism operation in the West Bank and learn how much security cooperation there is with the Palestinian Authority for it.

Please see today's ongoing live blog for more updates.

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

For further reading:

Released hostages Dekel-Chen, Troufanov and Horn in Israel after 498 days in captivity

Hamas made surveillance troops watch torture videos of male hostages, says mother

IDF chief apologizes to freed surveillance soldiers for failing them on and before Oct. 7

‘I was starved and tortured’: Keith Siegel urges Trump to ensure all hostages freed

Two weeks after his release, former hostage Ofer Calderon hospitalized with pneumonia

UNIFIL’s outgoing deputy chief wounded as convoy attacked by pro-Hezbollah rioters

IDF strikes Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon, citing ‘direct threat’ to Israel

Lebanon tells Iranian flight it can’t land, after IDF’s Hezbollah smuggling claim

Troops neutralize bomb-laden car, Palestinian shot dead near IDF base, in West Bank

IMAGE: A woman holds pictures of three released Israeli hostages in Tel Aviv on February 15, 2025 in the city's Hostages Square. (Jack GUEZ / AFP)

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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 reporter Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode, part of The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, Friday Focus. Each Friday, join Berman and Borschel-Dan for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.

This week, Berman assesses how the current Trump administration's foreign policy seems to be shaping up. From the US president's bombshell February 4, 2025, proposal to transfer Gaza's population from the Strip to reset the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to efforts to end the Ukraine War, Trump's gaze appears to be as global as it is domestic.

So how does that square with his promise to "Make America Great Again"?

Berman zooms out and in 30 minutes illustrates how the president appears to be adopting a new motto: "Speak brashly and carry a big stick."

Please see today's ongoing live blog for more updates.

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

For further reading:

Israel said readying for three hostages to be freed Saturday, still pushing for more

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump takes questions during a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 13, 2025. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP)

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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 correspondent Sam Sokol and environmental reporter Sue Surkes join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

Sokol looks at the coalition's struggle over ultra-Orthodox army service exemptions, between those who want to minimize exemptions and those who want to use legislation to create a gradual increase leading to universal enlistment. He discusses a recent Likud lawmaker conference on the subject, that called for a more universal Haredi draft and sanctions on draft dodgers.

In honor of Tu B'Shvat, the Jewish holiday of the trees, Surkes reports on the new Jewish Climate Trust, with heavy involvement from philanthropist Steven Bronfman, of the Canadian Bronfman family. The fund, which is launching next month, will be the first to focus specifically on climate, aiming to help Jewish and Israeli climate organizations build interfaith bridges and regional bridges in the Middle East.

Surkes also speaks about several moshav communities in the south that were attacked by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. Two are located just outside the designated zone of the Gaza Envelope and are therefore not eligible for the funding necessary to rebuild after the October 7, 2023 attacks.

Please see today's ongoing live blog for more updates.

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

For further reading:

Likud lawmakers hold conference calling for Haredi draft, sanctions on dodgers

Budding climate fund seeks to guide Jewish response to era’s greatest threat

Just 138 yards too far from the Gaza border, towns are denied post-Oct. 7 state support

 

 

IMAGE: Haredi men protest and clash with police against the ultra-Orthodox draft on January 28, 2025. (Photo by 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.

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

Magid discusses how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flip-flopped Tuesday night with a series of statements regarding the current ceasefire and the number of hostages to be released on Saturday. Magid suggests it could be part of an ongoing effort to back US President Donald Trump's demands and to also keep Hamas guessing.

As the IDF prepares to move enlisted soldiers down south to the Gaza border and called on reservists to ready themselves, Magid says there may be more legitimacy from the US toward Israel to battle Hamas again in order to achieve the broader goals of the region.

Magid reviews Trump's meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah and Abdullah's offer to take in 2,000 sick Palestinian children, although it appears that Jordan is not interested in taking in mass amounts of Gazan refugees, and sees it as exporting the conflict.

He also talks about the Palestinian Authority agreement to review legislation regarding welfare payments for Palestinian prisoners and families of slain attackers who killed Israelis in terrorist attacks.

Please see today's ongoing live blog for more updates.

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

For further reading:

Netanyahu: ‘Intense fighting’ to resume in Gaza if hostages not released by Saturday

Trump urges ending Gaza ceasefire if all hostages not released by noon Saturday

Abdullah says Jordan will take in 2,000 sick Gazan kids as Trump pushes relocation plan

Architect of US law against PA ‘pay-to-slay’ skeptical of Ramallah effort to end it

IMAGE: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a plenum session at the Knesset on February 10, 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.

Political correspondent Tal Schneider and diaspora reporter Zev Stub join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

Schneider discusses further details about some of the hostages that have emerged from the recently released hostages, including signs of life about twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman. There is also the news that hostage Shlomo Mansour, 86, appears to have been killed on October 7, 2023, his body taken into captivity by Hamas terrorists.

As the government cabinet meets Tuesday morning to discuss the Hamas accusation that Israel has breached the ceasefire deal, Schneider reviews what those breaches may be, including that Israel didn't send a negotiating team to Qatar for the second stage of the deal, and its delays in sending certain supplies to Gaza.

Stub offers a preview of the World Zionist Organization's upcoming elections in March, and how the event, held every five years, represents the Orthodox-liberal struggle in the Jewish world.

He also discusses the growth of the Orthodox Union in Israel, and the organization's decision to embrace that growth by moving into new offices.

Please see today's ongoing live blog for more updates.

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

For further reading:

IDF says Shlomo Mansour was killed on Oct. 7 and his body taken to Gaza

Hamas says it’s delaying next hostage release, alleging Israeli truce violations

Trump urges ending Gaza ceasefire if all hostages not released by noon Saturday

The man with the plan: DC prof sent Trump study on Gaza relocation, development in July

Upcoming WZO election sees Orthodox-liberal struggle, opportunity for North American Jews

As religious immigration rises, OU expands presence in Israel, investing in integration

IMAGE: A protest that took place outside the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on February 11, 2025 as a cabinet meeting was held inside, discussing the ceasefire (Credit: Orna Kupferman)

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