The Times of Israel Daily Briefing The Times of Israel

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.

It is day 235 of the war with Hamas. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

Berman comments about Israel's operation in Rafah and reactions to Sunday night's strike on two senior Hamas commanders that resulted in a fire that killed Gazans sheltering nearby. He notes that the US response has been muted compared with other countries, because the Israeli operation has been limited, as requested by the Biden administration.

He also looks at a shooting incident between Egyptian forces and Israel, in which an Egyptian soldier was killed. With Egypt positioning itself as a mediator in hostage talks, it is continuing to engage with Israel and appears to be more interested in brushing this incident aside.

Berman talks about the push to restart hostage talks and the leaked comments made by leading IDF hostage negotiator, Major General Nitzan Alon, who remarked that the current government will never sign on a deal. That said, Berman says it isn't clear if talks would take place in Egypt or Qatar, and who is Israel's preferred mediator right now.

Berman also speaks about Spain, Ireland and Norway planning to formally recognize Palestine as a state, which he believes is "a shameful move" that strengthens Hamas, offering them another small political victory by way of liberal Western states.

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

Discussed articles include:

US laments ‘devastating’ Rafah strike, urges Israel to better protect civilians

Shrapnel from Israeli strike may have ignited fuel tank near Rafah tents — report

‘No longer justifiable’: Israel faces international condemnation for strike in Rafah

Egyptian soldier killed in clash with Israeli troops at Rafah Crossing

Netanyahu denies claim he’s blocking hostage deal, calls Rafah strike ‘tragic mishap’

IDF negotiator said to pan PM’s handling of hostage talks as they’re set to resume

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: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at debate in the Knesset on May 27, 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.

It is day 234 of the war with Hamas. Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

The commander of Hamas’s so-called "West Bank headquarters" and another top official in the terror group were killed in last night’s Israeli airstrike in Rafah, according to the IDF. The strike, according to Hamas health officials, killed some 35 people. In the strike’s wake, Hamas said that Palestinians must “rise up and march” against the Israeli army’s “massacre” in Gaza’s far-southern city of Rafah. How seriously we should take this call to march from Hamas?

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said this morning that he will ask the other 26 European Union member states to issue official backing to the International Court of Justice and take steps to ensure Israel respects its decisions. What other international reactions are we seeing in light of last night's strike.

Hamas fired eight rockets at central Israel yesterday afternoon, marking the most significant attack out of the Gaza Strip in some four months and underscoring some of the challenges remaining for the Israeli military as it seeks to oust the Palestinian group from its last major stronghold. While some MKs call for the chief of staff's ouster, Horovitz explains what these rockets from Rafah may represent.

National Unity leader and war cabinet minister Benny Gantz submitted Sunday morning to the cabinet secretariat a proposal for a government resolution to establish a state commission of inquiry into the events surrounding the October 7 Hamas invasion and massacre and the subsequent, ongoing war in Gaza. Too soon?

The Israeli military’s envoy to negotiations aimed at freeing hostages held in Gaza expressed hopelessness over the chances of reaching a deal with the current government at the helm, according to a report on Sunday, the latest in a series of apparently leaked statements broadcasting the IDF general’s frustration with Jerusalem’s refusal to move closer to Hamas’s position in negotiations. What agenda is this leak serving?

The B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem gave awards to two Israeli journalists on Sunday evening at an annual ceremony recognizing excellence in reporting on Diaspora Jewry. The two reporters recognized were Canaan Lidor, The Times of Israel’s Jewish World reporter, and Channel 12’s Europe correspondent Elad Simchayoff.

Former Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy gave a keynote address at the event, calling to create an elite unit of professional spokespeople in all languages and all time zones. If you will it, it is no dream?

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

Discussed articles include:

IDF says it targeted Hamas as Palestinians claim 35 dead in strike on Gaza’s Rafah

Rafah rocket volley targets Tel Aviv area, in first such attack in 4 months

IDF negotiator said to pan PM’s handling of hostage talks as they’re set to resume

Gantz submits proposal for state investigation into October 7 invasion and Gaza war

ToI’s Lidor, Channel 12’s Simchayoff receive B’nai B’rith Diaspora coverage awards

The stunning rise, curious suspension and insistent return of Israel’s star spokesman

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: Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike near where displaced people were staying in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Monday, May 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
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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.

It is day 233 of the war with Hamas. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

The Israel Defense Forces recovered the bodies of three more hostages from the northern Gaza Strip in an overnight operation, the military announced Friday morning. Orión Hernández Radoux, 30, Hanan Yablonka, 42, and Michel Nisenbaum, 59, were all killed on October 7, according to “reliable intelligence.” Fabian debriefs on what we know of this risky operation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received four communiques from the Military Intelligence Directorate in the spring and summer of 2023 warning him about how the country’s enemies were viewing the upheaval in Israeli society at the time. Why did the IDF reveal these letters now and what did they contain?

The Friday publication of a video of an apparent Israel Defense Forces reservist threatening mutiny if the government doesn’t pursue “complete victory” over Hamas has sparked strong condemnations. How is the prime minister's son involved and what is happening now with the alleged reservist?

There are a spate of rumors being reported by some media outlets about an alleged kidnapping of an IDF soldier. Fabian attempts to bring clarity.

Following the International Court of Justice ruling on Friday, has fighting changed in Rafah?

The US-built aid pier was meant to be a game-changer in bringing hundreds of trucks of humanitarian aid to Gazan residents. We hear about some recent growing pains.

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

Discussed articles include:

IDF recovers bodies of three hostages from north Gaza; all were killed on October 7

IDF says Netanyahu was warned 4 times in 2023 about how enemies saw internal discord

Politicians slam pro-Netanyahu reservist’s ‘dangerous’ call for mutiny; suspect held

IDF denies Hamas claim terror group captured soldiers during Gaza fighting

IDF presses ahead with Rafah offensive after World Court’s ambiguous halt order

US naval vessels disconnect from Gaza aid pier, wash up on Israeli beaches

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: Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes on Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on May 25, 2024. (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.

It is day 232 of the war with Hamas. Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

The International Court of Justice issued an order yesterday late afternoon saying, “Israel must immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in the Rafah governorate, which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part,” the ruling stated.

Horovitz parses that key sentences and explains what the five of 15 justices who wrote opinions stated. We also hear how some international media and some politicians interpreted the court order as well as Israel's response.

Tonight, as every Saturday night for the past many months, there are protests around the country, both in support of the hostages’ families, and against the government. Horovitz delves into some of the treatment afforded family members there and updates us on the new start to hostage negotiations.

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

Discussed articles include:

Confused by the ICJ’s decision on Gaza? Blame the judges’ deliberate ambiguity

ICJ orders Israel to halt Rafah operations that risk destruction of civilian population

After ICJ ruling, Israel says it ‘has not and will not’ destroy Rafah’s civilian population

Four ICJ judges argue court order does not require IDF to stop all Rafah operations

A fateful road not taken: Netanyahu seems set to spurn Saudi normalization

After Mossad chief’s trip, Israeli official says hostage talks to resume next week

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: Troops of the Givati Brigade operate in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, in a handout image published May 23, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)
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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.

It is day 231 of the war with Hamas. Political reporter Tal Schneider and environment reporter Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will "soon" give an address to a joint session of Congress. Schneider wonders at Netanyahu's motivations for this speech and compares it to his previous House address.

Likud members and members of Knesset are taking note of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's recent challenge to Netanyahu's decision-making during the war. What is Schneider seeing about their “pragmatism”?

In the first three months of the war, activity was at a low in the Knesset. But Schneider points out that with the declaration of war, the government was automatically accorded broad authorities with very little oversight. She brings us new research.

About a year ago, a research team led by Tel Aviv University’s Omri Bronstein found that the entire Black Sea urchin population living on coral reefs off the southern city of Eilat had been wiped out in weeks. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Surkes brings the full story.

The State of Nature 2023, the tenth report of the National Ecosystem Assessment Program (“Maarag” in Hebrew), was published in the run-up to Wednesday’s World Biodiversity Day. There’s good news -- and a lot of bad news. 

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

Discussed articles include:

IDF recovers bodies of three hostages from north Gaza, who were killed on October 7

Netanyahu will ‘soon’ address joint session of US Congress, House speaker announces

Deadly pathogen that wiped out Eilat’s sea urchins reaches Indian Ocean

World Biodiversity Day report: Israel’s butterflies, birds, reptiles in serious decline

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 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks against the US-led international nuclear deal with Iran in 2015 before a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 3, 2015. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
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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.

It is day 230 of the war with Hamas. Military reporter Emanuel Fabina joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Last night the Hostages and Missing Families Forum released a heavily redacted 3-minute video showing the October 7 abduction of Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy, all soldiers. All five are still held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. As the mother of a female fighter, this is a nightmare scenario for me. We hear what was included in the footage and why it is being released now.

The Kfir Brigade’s Netzah Yehuda Battalion and other forces under the Gaza Division’s Northern Brigade began a new pinpoint raid in northern Gaza’s Beit Hanoun in recent days and three Israeli soldiers were killed during fighting. We hear about the ongoing operations there.

The Rafah operation appears to be broadening as residents are increasingly leaving the city for the humanitarian zone and Israeli tanks have advanced nearer to the heart of Rafah. Fabian updates us on fighting in the city and along the Philadelphi Corridor.

Twelve Palestinians were killed as the military launched what it said was a counter-terrorism operation in the northern West Bank city of Jenin on Tuesday morning. What was the stated reason for the operation?

In the north, the commander of Hezbollah’s rocket and missile unit in the terror group’s coastal division was killed in an airstrike Monday. We hear updates.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was presented on Tuesday with a lengthy report laying out how the country could effectively recruit and integrate members of the ultra-Orthodox community into the Israel Defense Forces.We learn about several of the recommendations from the 49-page document.

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

Discussed articles include:

Hostage families release clip of 5 female troops’ abduction to push for their freedom

After release of hostage video, war cabinet okays resumption of stalled truce talks

3 soldiers killed in north Gaza; IDF advances in Rafah, locates rocket launchers

Palestinians say 7 killed, 9 wounded as IDF launches counter-terror op in Jenin

IDF says Hezbollah’s coastal rocket commander killed in drone strike

Gallant given report on ‘practical, applicable’ ways to draft Haredi men into IDF

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: Large images of hostages Naama Levy and Liri Albag are held above the crowd as protesters in Tel Aviv call for a hostage deal, April 11, 2024. (Danor Aharon/ Pro-Democracy Protest Movement)
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