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 155 of the war with Hamas. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

In his state of the union address on Thursday, US President Joe Biden announced that the US will build a floating dock off the shore of Gaza. We hear details of the dock and short and long-term plans for it.

Magid shares what else was relevant to Israel in Thursday's address -- and why the country should take note.

The Biden administration's frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to mount, as seen by statements made by the president and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Finally, on Friday, Biden warned Israel that tensions in east Jerusalem may be high ahead of Ramadan if the hostage deal is not signed.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog March 9, 2024

How the US military plans to build a floating dock for urgently needed aid to Gaza

Biden says Israel will secure new Gaza pier; Pentagon: It may take 2 months to build

Biden in SOTU pledges to free hostages, warns Israel not to use aid as bargaining chip

Biden caught on hot mic: I told Bibi we’re going to have a ‘Come to Jesus’ meeting

Harris: Israelis deserve security, don’t ‘conflate’ them with the Israeli government

Biden worried about potential East Jerusalem violence if no Gaza deal before Ramadan

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 Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: An Israeli navy warship sails in the Mediterranean Sea waters off the coast of the Gaza Strip as pictured from a position along the border in southern Israel on January 4, 2024. (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.

Today is Day 154 of the war. Arabic affairs correspondent Gianluca Pacchiani and reporter Gavriel Fiske join host Jessica Steinberg on today's episode.

Pacchiani speaks about expectations for Ramadan, a usually celebratory period, as East Jerusalemites wonder what kind of access they and Palestinian Arabs will have to the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.

Fiske speaks about back-to-school again in the southern city of Sderot, where some 60% of the community returned home after months of being evacuated around the country, and their hopes for a different reality after years of rocket attacks.

Fiske also looks at the unexpected spike in online schools for Arabic, as Jewish Israelis want to learn how to speak Arabic, for different kinds of reasons.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog March 8, 2024

In East Jerusalem, hopes for a calm Ramadan mix with fears of Al-Aqsa restrictions

In Sderot, a first day of school for ‘the second time’

‘It’s a bit stressful’: Schools in Sderot reopen after five months of war

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 Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: Israeli border police officers visit the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, March 7, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/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 153 of the war. Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

We hear statements from two journalists who arguably have the ear of the White House. Horovitz discusses how representative the statements are as every move the Biden administration makes in the war in Gaza is scrutinized ahead of the US elections in November.

On April 30, 2021, during the coronavirus pandemic, 45 people were killed in a crush at the Mount Meron gravesite of a second-century sage in northern Israel. After two and a half years of work, a state commission of inquiry headed by retired judge Dvora Berliner has named a number of officials responsible for the disaster in a 320-page report. We hear about the results of the inquiry as well as political blowback.

In Horovitz's weekly column yesterday, he proposed that we’re living in the most worrying period for Jews since WWII. How is he seeing this play out?

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog March 7, 2024

Report: Biden mulling moves to keep Israel from using US weapons in Rafah

State inquiry blames Netanyahu, but does not sanction him, for deadly 2021 Meron crush

Likud derides inquiry on deadly Meron crush as ‘political weapon’ against Netanyahu

Full text of inquiry’s findings on officials’ responsibility for 2021 Meron disaster

We’re living in the most worrying period for Jews since World War II

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 Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: Victims of the April 30, 2021, Mount Meron disaster: Top row (L-R): Chen Doron, Haim Rock, Ariel Tzadik, Yossi Kohn, Yisrael Anakvah, Yishai Mualem, Yosef Mastorov, Elkana Shiloh and Moshe Levy; 2nd row (L-R): Shlomo Zalman Leibowitz, Shmuel Zvi Klagsbald, Mordechai Fakata, Dubi Steinmetz, Abraham Daniel Ambon, Eliezer Gafner, Yosef Greenbaum, Yehuda Leib Rubin and Yaakov Elchanan Starkovsky; 3rd row (L-R): Haim Seler, Yehoshua Englard, Moshe Natan Neta Englard, Yedidia Hayut, Moshe Ben Shalom, David Krauss, Eliezer Tzvi Joseph, Yosef Yehuda Levy and Yosef Amram Tauber; 4th row (L-R): Menachem Knoblowitz, Elazar Yitzchok Koltai, Yosef David Elhadad, Shraga Gestetner, Yonatan Hebroni, Shimon Matalon, Elazar Mordechai Goldberg, Moshe Bergman and Daniel Morris; 5th row (L-R): Ariel Achdut, Moshe Mordechai Elhadad, Hanoch Slod, Yedidya Fogel, Menahem Zakbah, Simcha Diskind, Moshe Tzarfati, Nahman Kirshbaum and Eliyahu Cohen.

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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 152 of the war. Political correspondent Tal Schneider and religion reporter Canaan Lidor join host Jessica Steinberg.

Schneider discusses the US visit of war cabinet member Benny Gantz, where he heard administration criticism about the lack of a viable post-war plan for Gaza, as well as the growing aid issue in the Gaza Strip.

She also looks at the decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow visits to the Temple Mount during Ramadan, overruling Public Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and the possible political ramifications of that decision.

Lidor talks about the return of some residents to the southern communities of Shlomit and Sderot, the desire of locals to return to their homes and what that looks like right now, during a war.

Schneider and Lidor speak about the expected results on Wednesday of the commission of inquiry into the 2021 Mt. Meron disaster on Lag B'omer, and what plans will look like for this year's holiday celebration for the ultra-Orthodox community, given the ongoing closure in the north.

Lidor concludes the podcast with a discussion of his piece about peaceniks who lived in the Gaza border communities that were attacked on October 7, and what they feel now about regular Gazans.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog March 6, 2024

Hosting Gantz, Harris balances praise of Israel with criticism over Gaza aid crisis

Netanyahu overrules Ben Gvir: Temple Mount access on Ramadan to be like previous years

No longer a ghost town, Sderot welcomes returnees and a renewed sense of normalcy

Meron disaster inquest blames former ministers Ohana, Avitan, police chief Shabtai

Their dovish hopes clipped, some Gaza border residents make peace with becoming hawks
 
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: Benny Gantz, left, a key member of Israel's War Cabinet is welcomed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, for a private meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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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 151 of the war with Hamas. Zman Yisrael editor Biranit Goren and environment reporter Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

In a 24-page report yesterday, the United Nation’s envoy on sex crimes during conflict told the UN that rape and gang rape likely occurred during the October 7 Hamas onslaught against southern Israel, that “clear and convincing” evidence shows that hostages were raped while being held in Gaza, and that those currently held captive are still facing such abuse. We talk about the methodology of the report and whether international women's groups will have some kind of reckoning in light of its findings.

War cabinet minister Benny Gantz has been in the United States for the past several days meeting with Biden administration officials and is set to travel to London for similar meetings. Goren explains why this trip is an unusual move for a cabinet minister.

For the first time in Israel’s history, the IDF has appointed a woman to command an Israeli Air Force base. We hear about Lt. Col. “Gimmel.”

The Energy Ministry is finalizing a potentially revolutionary plan, to be submitted to the government by March 18, to turn the Tekuma region along the Gaza border into a flagship for energy independence and renewable energy. This was unveiled at a conference in Eilat. What else did you hear at the conference?

Children in the Negev Bedouin village of Elarara are learning in classrooms heated by a diesel generator, which emits carcinogenic fumes. We hear how this is now an isolated incident and what a Jewish-Arab NGO is trying to do about it.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog March 5, 2024

UN finds evidence of rape on Oct. 7 and after; Israel: They tried to downplay issue

Hosting Gantz, Harris balances praise of Israel with criticism over Gaza aid crisis

For first time in Israel’s history, IDF appoints woman commander of Air Force base

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. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE: Israelis visit the site of the Re'im music festival massacre in southern Israel, February 28, 2024. (Tomer Neuberg/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 150 of the war with Hamas. Diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

At a campaign stop in front of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where state troopers beat US civil rights marchers nearly six decades ago, US Vice President Kamala Harris delivered what appeared to be the sharpest rebuke yet by a senior leader in the US government over the conditions in the Gaza Strip. There appears to be a shift in tone, but was there also a switch in messaging?

An Israeli official told Berman yesterday that following Thursday’s deadly stampede in Gaza City surrounding an aid convoy, Israel will try new solutions for delivering humanitarian supplies to northern Gaza this week. What are some of these approaches?

According to an Egyptian state-linked TV report, mediators and envoys from the Hamas terror group have made “significant progress” toward a truce in Gaza, as the talks in Cairo entered a second day. Why did Israel not send a team?

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog March 4, 2024

Urging 6-week ‘ceasefire,’ US VP Harris says Israel not doing enough to get aid to Gaza

After deadly aid incident, Israel to try new methods of delivery to north Gaza this week

Israel won’t send team to Cairo, said to believe Sinwar seeks escalation on Ramadan

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. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: Palestinians sit in a vehicle loaded with sacks of humanitarian aid outside the distribution center of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on March 3, 2024. (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.

Today is Day 149 of the war with Hamas. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

A rare barrage of long-range rockets was launched from Gaza toward Beersheba yesterday. Who claimed responsibility and what do these rockets represent?

The Israel Defense Forces said it struck a vehicle near southern Lebanon’s Naqoura on Saturday, targeting operatives belonging to the Imam Hossein Division, an Iranian militia that operates alongside Hezbollah. Fabian speaks about the increase of overt attacks on Iranian operatives.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir railed at the release of Palestinian administrative detainees, claiming they were not freed due to overcrowding as had been stated. How many were released and on whose authority? And what is the status of the Gazan detainees?

Cpl. Ori Megidish, who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 and later rescued from captivity in the Gaza Strip by the Israel Defense Forces, returned to active military service on Monday. In what roles will she serve?

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog March 3, 2024

Three soldiers killed in Gaza as troops keep up raids on Hamas sites and gunmen

IDF: Lebanon strike targeted Iranian militia members involved in rocket fire on north

Ben Gvir: Shin Bet head ordered release of administrative detainees as Ramadan ‘gesture’

Rescued Gaza hostage Ori Megidish returns to active military service

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. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: The logo of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement at the Shatila camp for Palestinian refugees in a southern suburb of Beirut on November 7, 2023. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / 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.

Today is Day 148 of the war with Hamas. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

US President Joe Biden announced on Friday plans to carry out a first US military airdrop of food and supplies into Gaza, a day after the reported deaths of dozens of Palestinians in a crowd crush as they rushed an aid convoy threw a spotlight on an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in the war-torn coastal enclave. That aid began reaching the Gaza Strip today, but the question is, is airdropping the most efficient method?

During the vote counting from Tuesday’s Michigan primary, over 101,000 people were found to have cast “uncommitted” ballots, most of them likely in protest of Biden’s Israel-Hamas war policies. What makes Michigan an especially watched primary and what do these votes represent?

The European Union is planning to host a “Preparatory Peace Conference” with regional stakeholders to advance a two-state solution. Magid, in conversation with EU Middle East peace envoy Sven Koopmans, heard about the official's modest hopes.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog March 2, 2024

‘No excuses’: Biden announces US military to airdrop food, supplies into war-torn Gaza

Michigan’s Gaza protest votes below levels seen as requiring major Biden shift

EU envoy details plans for ‘preparatory’ conference to advance Israeli-Palestinian peace

Peace efforts can be advanced, even if parties not currently interested — EU envoy

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. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: A US Air Force cargo plane heads for an airdrop of aid over Gaza, March 2, 2024 (US Central Command photo)

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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 147 of the war with Hamas. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian and health reporter Renee Ghert-Zand join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Dozens of Palestinians were killed Thursday in Gaza City as they swarmed aid trucks that entered the city. What is the IDF telling us about what happened?

Yesterday afternoon, two Israelis were killed when a Palestinian terrorist opened fire at a gas station outside the West Bank settlement of Eli before being shot and killed by the proprietor of a nearby business on leave from fighting in Gaza. First, we hear about the victims and then the perpetrator.

Ghert-Zand brings some highlights from a conference on women soldiers’ health under war.

Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center-Ichilov Hospital has opened a suite of 10 new underground operating rooms for ambulatory surgeries. What’s unique about this new set-up?

In a scientific first, researchers at Bar-Ilan University have created testicles in a laboratory — a discovery that they hope could lead to a better understanding of sex determination as well as advances in infertility treatment. We also hear how it could be a methodology used in the future for male children facing cancer treatments.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog March 1, 2024

US blocks Security Council motion blaming Israel for deadly Gaza aid convoy incident

Dozens killed in Gaza aid stampede; IDF says its fire caused no more than 10 casualties

Rabbi, teen hitchhiker killed in terror shooting at West Bank gas station

Surgery without a stay: Ichilov hospital unveils new operating rooms to cut wait times

In breakthrough, Bar-Ilan University scientists form artificial lab-grown testicles

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. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: This image grab from a handout video released by the Israeli army on February 29, 2024, shows Gazans surrounding aid trucks in Gaza City.(Photo by Israeli Army / 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.

Today is Day 146 of the war with Hamas. Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today’s episode.

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar believes that Hamas is winning the war it started against Israel on October 7, telling senior Hamas officials in Qatar that his ruling terror group “has the Israelis right where we want them.” Horovitz weighs in.

On Wednesday, in a televised speech, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh called on Palestinians in Jerusalem and the West Bank to march to Al-Aqsa Mosque to pray on the first day of Ramadan on March 10, during the war in Gaza, seemingly seeking to raise tensions in the area. At the same time, Israel’s war cabinet has reportedly ruled that National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir won’t be able to bar Arab Israelis from worshiping at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount on Ramadan. What may happen at this flashpoint site?

Yesterday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called for an end to military draft exemptions for members of the ultra-Orthodox community, and said he would only back legislation settling the matter if it is endorsed by centrist ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot. Horovitz explains how the clock is ticking for new efforts to conscription “all Israelis.”

In total, 3,511,758 out of 7,100,390 eligible voters cast ballots, down from 56% during the previous municipal elections in 2018, according to data provided by the Interior Ministry. It seems Haredi Israelis turned out in high numbers, while Jerusalem Arabs largely boycotted. Horovitz breaks down some of the numbers.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog February 29, 2024

Gallant says no Haredi draft bill without centrist support, risking coalition crisis

Report: War cabinet sidelines Ben Gvir, rejects Ramadan Al Aqsa limits on Arab Israelis

Hamas chief claims flexibility in truce talks, calls for Ramadan march on Jerusalem

Half of Israel stays away from democracy * Friction helps Biden and the PM * SIMs signs

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. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: Hamas's Gaza Strip leader Yahya Sinwar in a tunnel in southern Gaza's Khan Younis, October 10, 2023 (IDF Spokesman)

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