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

Former US president Donald Trump was convicted by a Manhattan Criminal Court jury of felony crimes for falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election. And, of course, there’s an alleged Jewish connection. Magid explains.

Israel and Egypt have reportedly reached an agreement in principle to reopen the Rafah Border Crossing in southern Gaza to humanitarian aid for the first time since the Israel Defense Forces took control of the Gazan side of the crossing in early May. But there are still several wrinkles to iron out, says Magid.

National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi reportedly said Thursday that the current government will not agree to end its war against Hamas in exchange for the release of all the remaining hostages held by the terror group. The leaked message was made during a heated meeting during which Hanegbi reportedly rebuked and insulted the relatives of several hostages. With all the leaks, are officials now purposefully stating out loud what they want to get to the press?

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the Biden administration’s recent announcement that it won’t support sanctions against the International Criminal Court after its top prosecutor asked the tribunal to issue arrest warrants against the premier and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Magid describes how this lack of sanctions is in line with previous Biden administration decisions.

Fifty percent of Israeli Jews support Israel maintaining control of the Gaza Strip after the war against the Hamas terror group ends, according to a Pew Research Center survey published Thursday. What else did it show?

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

Discussed articles include:

‘Real verdict’ will be November 5 election, Trump says, blasting ‘Soros-backed DA’

Israel, Egypt said moving toward reopening Rafah Crossing amid US pressure

Blinken: In the absence of Israeli plan for day after, there won’t be a day after

Israel won’t end war for deal to free all hostages, PM’s aide said to tell families

Netanyahu ‘surprised, disappointed’ by US refusal to sanction ICC over warrants

Poll: Half of Jewish Israelis say Israel should run Gaza after the war; 0% say Hamas

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: Former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump holds up a fist as he arrives back at Trump Tower after being convicted in his criminal trial in New York City, on May 30, 2024. (Timothy A. Clary / 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 237 of the war with Hamas. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Two soldiers seriously hurt in a car-ramming attack near the West Bank city of Nablus on Wednesday night have died of their wounds, the military announced. An initial investigation into a ramming attack has found that the incident unfolded in a matter of seconds and that soldiers did not have time to open fire to attempt to stop the attack. Hebrew media reports said the suspect turned himself over to the Palestinian Authority’s security forces, after fleeing into Nablus. Berman was recently in Nablus with the IDF unit in charge of the region. What did he learn?

According to early results from South Africa’s elections yesterday, the African National Congress appears set to lose the parliamentary majority it has held for 30 years. Could Israel see any real change in agenda, for example at the International Court of Justice case alleging Israel is committing genocide in Gaza?

Brazil has reportedly formally recalled its ambassador to Israel and will not immediately appoint a replacement. Is this move as particularly harmful to Israel?

Yesterday National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said in an interview with Kan public radio that “this year, we expect another seven months of combat, in order to deepen our achievement and achieve what we define as the destruction of the military and governing capabilities of both Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.” Berman gives an overview of the IDF's recent achievements, including the operational control of the Philadelphi Corridor.

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

Discussed articles include:

Two soldiers killed in car-ramming attack outside West Bank city of Nablus

Israel watches as South Africa’s hostile ANC set to lose support but remain in power

Brazil said to withdraw ambassador from Israel, no plans to appoint new envoy

3 soldiers killed in blast in booby-trapped building in Gaza’s Rafah

IDF takes control of key Gaza-Egypt border road, locating at least 20 tunnels

Top Israeli official says fighting in Gaza likely to last at least another 7 months

Reports: In Rafah strike, IDF used US bombs designed to reduce casualties

Under a rug in Gazan home, IDF troops found shaft leading to bodies of 4 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 Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. 

IMAGE: Israel Defense Forces operations in Nablus following October 7, 2023. (IDF Spokesperson)
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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 236 of the war with Hamas. Political correspondent Sam Sokol joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

Sokol discusses an upcoming meeting on Wednesday of right-wing party leaders Gideon Sa'ar and Avigdor Liberman with opposition leader Yair Lapid, as they look to create a wider, right-wing alliance to oppose the current government, representing a constellation of hawkish parties that believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition is damaging the country.

He also talks about the landslide victory of former Meretz Knesset member and IDF general Yair Golan in Wednesday's Labor party primaries, and Golan's plan to unite all left-wing parties and protest movements into one bloc, aiming to reignite the Israeli left.

Sokol mentions the visit of former American UN envoy Nikki Haley to Israel's southern region on Tuesday, where she asserted that Russian intelligence and Chinese funds directly facilitated the devastating October 7 Hamas attacks.

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

Discussed articles include:

Sa’ar willing to make ‘concessions’ to create right-wing bloc opposing Netanyahu

Yair Golan wins landslide victory in Labor primary with promise to unite the left

Visiting southern Israel, Nikki Haley blames Iran, Russia and China for October 7

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: Former IDF general and former Meretz MK Yair Golan attended a protest outside of Jerusalem on May 4, 2024 (Photo by Yossi Zamir/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 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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