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 145 of the war with Hamas. Arab affairs reporter Luca Pacchiani and reporter Canaan Lidor join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Results from yesterday's municipal elections are still coming in, but in the meantime, we focus on Tiberias, where a secular former communications executive Yossi Naba’a has apparently won the race by garnering religious backing. Lidor tells us about this special race.

On Monday, the Palestinian Authority’s government formally resigned in what is meant to mark a major step toward the revitalization of the administrative body. Pacchiani weighs in on why this may not be that step.

For years, Israeli news media has talked about “alleged Israeli air strikes on Syria.” But lately, the Air Force appears to be taking much more overt credit for targeting leaders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Pacchiani spoke with two experts who explain the shift.

Late last week, leaders of South African Jewry who were visiting Israel organized a ceremony in honor of members of their community who were killed or wounded or made other sacrifices defending the Jewish state. Lidor explains why this was also a political protest.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog February 28, 2024

In Tiberias, Haredi locals cheer for defeat of their secularist nemesis’s comeback bid

‘Cosmetic’ PA reshuffle seen as bid by Abbas to hold power, avoid demanded reforms

No longer afraid of sparking war, Israel takes gloves off against IRGC in Syria

Defying their government, South African Jews honor compatriots who fell for Israel

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 truck in flames following an alleged Israeli airstrike near the Syrian town of Qusayr, February 25, 2024. (X screengrab: used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

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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 144 of the war. Zman Yisrael editor-in-chief Biranit Goren and political correspondent Tal Schneider join host Jessica Steinberg.

Schneider discusses election day for local authorities and municipalities, describing the expectation that most Israelis will vote for incumbent politicians, rather than push forward on other issues, given the status of war and hostage situation.

Goren explains the latest in the matter of the Haredi draft, concerning a government resolution and the High Court, and how this could lead the ultra-Orthodox community and government toward finding a compromise for drafting Haredi yeshiva students.

Schneider and Goren look at the latest revelation regarding intelligence ahead of the October 7 Hamas terrorist assault, examining the political machinations behind the revelations.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog February 27, 2024

Polls open across much of Israel for twice-delayed local elections under shadow of war

As Israel heads to municipal elections mid-war, here’s what you need to know

High Court orders the government to explain why its refusal to draft Haredim is legal

Hours before Hamas attack, IDF noticed dozens of terrorists activating Israeli SIMs

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: Families of hostages set up booths next to polling stations during local elections on February 27, 2024, reminding voters to 'Choose the hostages' (Courtesy Hostages and Missing Families Forum)

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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 143 of the war. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Jessica Steinberg.

Berman talks about the movement made in the latest round of hostage negotiations while acknowledging the many details that still need to be agreed upon by Israel and Hamas before any deal can be finalized.

He also talks about two tours he recently made into Gaza, commenting that war aims haven't been met as IDF war dwindles to a smaller operation, and what the situation will look like as war ends, who will rule the Gaza Strip.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog February 26, 2024

War cabinet votes to dispatch Israeli team to Paris for fresh try at hostage talks

Israel to decide on sending team to hostage talks amid cautious signs of progress

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: Demonstrators calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas terrorists outside the Knesset in Jerusalem, February 19, 2024 (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.

Today is Day 142 of the war. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

The Israeli Navy’s fleet of missile boats carried out “extensive” exercises, as the military prepares for potential war in the north while Israel warns that its patience for a diplomatic solution is running out. Is this drill performative or is Israel that much closer to war in the north?

Early Thursday morning, Israel’s long-range Arrow air defense system shot down a ballistic missile over the Red Sea, fired by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, the military said. How close was this to Eilat?

On Thursday night, the IDF carried out a drone strike against a vehicle in the northern West Bank city of Jenin targeting a Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative reportedly on his way to carry out a terror attack. Fabian speaks about the uptick of airstrikes in the West Bank.

This morning, the IDF said troops nabbed several terror operatives who attempted to hide among a group of civilians evacuating from combat zones in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis. We hear how this is an ongoing challenge for the IDF.

On Thursday, the IDF’s Home Front Command declared it essentially safe to return to all communities located between four and seven kilometers (2.5-4.3 miles) from the border with Gaza, along with 18 communities even closer to the Strip, including some practically abutting the war-ravaged enclave. What does this tell us about the trajectory of the war in Gaza?

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog February 25, 2024

Hezbollah fires rockets, drone at Galilee as Israeli jets pounds southern Lebanon

Israeli Navy carries out ‘extensive’ drills in preparation for potential war in north

Israel’s Arrow intercepts Houthi ballistic missile headed for Eilat

IDF says Jenin drone strike kills Islamic Jihad terrorist behind string of shootings

IDF presses on with new Gaza City operation, 20 Hamas fighters killed in past day

Army okays return to many communities near Gaza, including some where Hamas attacked

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: Members of the northern town of Katzrin's emergency squad train with the IDF and Israel Police in a joint exercise, Katzrin, Golan Heights on November 20, 2024. (Michael Giladi/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 141 of the war. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

The US is hoping that a hostage release deal and truce can be agreed upon before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. What do we know about the potential framework of the deal from today's talks?

On Thursday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented the security cabinet with a document of principles regarding the management of Gaza after the war, aiming to install “local officials” unaffiliated with terrorism to administer services in the Strip instead of Hamas. We hear points from the plan.

Following a deadly shooting near the West Banks city of Maale Adumim on Thursday, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that permits would be released for the building of some 3,000 homes. How did the US react?

The Biden administration is readying to issue a second round of sanctions in the coming weeks against Israeli settlers who carried out acts of violence in the West Bank. Who would be affected?

Israel has agreed to a new arrangement with the World Food Program rather than the UNRWA relief agency for Palestinian refugees that will allow for a massive American shipment of flour for Gazan civilians to move forward. Magid gives a picture of the conditions on the ground.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog February 24, 2024

Netanyahu presents post-war plan to cabinet, aims for ‘local officials’ to govern Gaza

US revives policy deeming settlements illegal, pans Israel’s plan for 3,000 new homes

US readying to issue 2nd round of settler sanctions in coming weeks — sources

Israel agrees to finally release American flour shipment for Gaza, says US official

‘Hunger is killing us’: Gazans increasingly desperate amid growing humanitarian crisis

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 at the Knesset in Jerusalem, February 19, 2024. (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.

Today is Day 140 of the war. Political correspondent Sam Sokol joins host Jessica Steinberg.

Sokol discusses the failed impeachment effort of Hadash-Ta'al lawmaker Ofer Cassif, who had supported the South African accusation of Israeli genocide in Gaza, he describes the heated debate in the Knesset and the reasons why it failed.

He also looks at opposition leader Yair Lapid beginning an extensive legislation process regarding the draft of ultra-Orthodox community during the ongoing war.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog February 23, 2024

Bid to oust MK Ofer Cassif over backing for ICJ genocide case falls short in Knesset

Lapid advances bill to enlist ultra-Orthodox, demanding they share IDF burden

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: Ultra-Orthodox soldiers attend a swearing-in ceremony as they enter the IDF 'Nahal Haredi' unit, at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem on May 26, 2012 (Photo by 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 139 of the war. Zman Yisrael editor-in-chief Biranit Goren and health reporter Renee Ghert-Zand join host Jessica Steinberg.

Goren discusses Wednesday night press conference by war cabinet member MK Benny Gantz about a possible hostage deal, what details it may include and why it was Gantz and not Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking about it. 

Goren also looks at the tensions and differing opinions in the war cabinet and the power plays at work among that group of politicians.

Ghert-Zand talks about the predicted 30,000 Israelis who will probably suffer from PTSD in Israel after the attacks of October 7 and the ongoing war, and how psychologists and therapists plan on tackling that issue.

She also discusses Ram 2, the IDF medical unit that operates inside Israeli hospitals as a kind of separate military wing for injured soldiers.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog February 22, 2024

Gantz sees signs of progress on hostage deal, warns of looming Rafah op during Ramadan

October 7 and war trauma will lead to at least 30,000 new cases of PTSD, expert says

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: War cabinet minister Benny Gantz speaks at the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem on February 18, 2024 (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.

Today is Day 138 of the war. Reporters Jeremy Sharon and Canaan Lidor join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

Monday saw the start of six days of hearings in The Hague’s International Court of Justice over the UN General Assembly’s request for an advisory opinion by the ICJ on the “legal consequences” of Israel’s 56-year rule in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. We hear what has been said so far.

Israel Judicial Selection Committee met -- and appointed judges -- for the first time in nearly two years. Sharon explains why the two slots on the Supreme Court remain unfilled.

A Palestinian artist who has in the past exhibited with renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was arrested on last week during a search conducted by an IDF reservist battalion looking for weapons in a West Bank Bedouin village. Sharon delves into the case and shares why this is hardly an isolated case.

Lidor was in Kiryat Shmona yesterday, just along Israel's border with Lebanon. Within the evacuated city, several stalwarts remain. Who are they?

Earlier in the week, Lidor accompanied the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations umbrella group’s first delegation to the south of Israel since October 7 and wrote about Eran Masas. Hear why his heroic story had the entire group crying.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog February 21, 2024

At World Court, South Africa says Israeli ‘apartheid’ surpasses its own sordid past

Israel accused of repressing basic Palestinian freedoms in ICJ hearing on West Bank rule

Palestinian artist who exhibited with Ai Weiwei arrested during IDF West Bank search

In Safed, a deadly rocket salvo fails to rattle deeply rooted residents

On Oct. 7 killing grounds, a vigilante army vet inspires grieving US Jewish leaders

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: A Palestinian flag flies outside the United Nations' highest court, rear, during historic hearings in The Hague, Netherlands, February 21, 2024, into the legality of Israel's 57-year occupation of the West Bank and east Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

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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 137 of the war. Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode in our Jerusalem offices.

The United Nations Security Council has scheduled a vote at 10 a.m. local time in New York (5 p.m. in Israel) for a resolution pushed by Arab nations demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, the United States has proposed a rival draft of the resolution that would underscore the body’s “support for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza as soon as practicable, based on the formula of all hostages being released.” Horovitz delves into the nuance behind uses of the term "ceasefire" by world leaders.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid submitted a new version of a draft law under which those who evade military or civil service will no longer be eligible for state funding. While there are signs that even members of the coalition are against the current legislation lengthening IDF regular and reserve service, will this new bill move forward?

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara reportedly cautioned against a proposal by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to impose age limitations on Arab Israelis who wish to pray at the Al-Aqsa compound atop the Temple Mount during Ramadan, saying that such a step would likely face legal obstacles. Horovitz speculates on rumors that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also on board with restricting Arab citizens' freedom of worship.

On Monday, the IDF released what it said was recently discovered footage showing mother Shiri Bibas and her two very young red-headed children surrounded by gunmen in the Gaza Strip hours after they were abducted by Hamas-led terrorists on October 7. Horovitz tells us what we know of the family's fate.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog February 20, 2024

US proposes Security Council resolution backing temporary ceasefire to stymie Rafah push

Arabs push UN vote on immediate Gaza humanitarian ceasefire despite surefire US veto

Lapid advances bill to enlist ultra-Orthodox, demanding they share IDF burden

AG said to oppose broad Ramadan limits on Temple Mount access for Arab Israelis

IDF finds video of Bibas family in Gaza, ‘very concerned’ for mother, youngest hostages

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: File - The United Nations Security Council meets to discuss the situation in the Middle East at UN headquarters in New York on January 23, 2024. (Charly Triballeau / 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 136 of the war. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

Last night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke in front of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem. On Saturday night, Berman also attended a press conference in Jerusalem with the prime minister. Was the messaging the same or different in the two events?

On Sunday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva compared Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza to the Holocaust, saying Israel was committing “genocide” against Palestinian civilians in the Strip and saying the only historical equivalent was “when Hitler decided to kill the Jews.” He made these remarks in front of an African Union summit. How did the setting played into his statements?

The Palestinian Authority is may hold unity talks with Hamas in Moscow on February 26, PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said on Sunday. What is Russia’s interest in holding this summit?

Netanyahu sided on Sunday with far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Sunday, endorsing restrictions on Arab Israelis’ access to Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount during Ramadan. How will Hamas weaponize the optics of Israeli citizens being restricted from the holy site?

And finally, Berman gives in-depth analysis into why Israel is not ready to fight another front in the north, and what factors need to change to allow it.

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

Discussed articles include:

Live blog February 19, 2024

Addressing US Jewish leaders on Gaza war, PM says: ‘We have to finish the job’

Netanyahu: Those telling us not to enter Rafah are essentially saying ‘lose the war’

Israel livid as Brazil’s Lula says Israel like ‘Hitler,’ committing genocide in Gaza

Calling for ‘Palestinian unity,’ PA premier urges Hamas to attend Moscow meet

Reports: Siding with Ben Gvir, PM plans to limit Arab Israeli Al-Aqsa access 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.

IMAGE: Israeli reserve soldiers from the Nachal brigade take part in a military drill in the Golan Heights, northern Israel, February 13, 2024. (Michael Giladi/Flash90)

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