The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

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Day 644 - Former hostage Keith Siegel on wanting to be hopeful
Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, Friday Focus. This Friday, join former hostage Keith Siegel and host Jessica Steinberg for a deep dive into what life is like for Siegel, five months after his release home from captivity in Gaza. Siegel discusses his need to do everything he can for the remaining hostages, including those with whom he was held hostage during periods of his 484 days of captivity, and who are still held captive. He speaks about the depraved terror he experienced and witnessed in captivity, the moments of grace, and his hope and optimism that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the White House will possibly bring the war to an end. Friday Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Aviva and Keith Siegel, after Keith's release home from Hamas captivity on February 1, 2025 (Courtesy)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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25:47
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25:47
Day 643 - IDF executes ground ops in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria
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. To begin the program we discuss the current status of IDF operations in the Gaza Strip and then turn to two deadly incidents this week. In the first discussed event, we learn that Master Sgt. (res.) Abraham Azulay, 25, was killed during an abduction attempt by terrorists who also attempted to snatch his body in the southern Gaza Strip. On Monday night, five Israeli soldiers were killed and 14 were wounded by roadside bombs in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. The slain soldiers were named as: Staff Sgt. Meir Shimon Amar, 20, from Jerusalem; Sgt. Moshe Nissim Frech, 20, from Jerusalem; Staff Sgt. Noam Aharon Musgadian, 20, from Jerusalem; Staff Sgt. Moshe Shmuel Noll, 21, from Beit Shemesh; and Sgt. First Class (res.) Benyamin Asulin, 28, from Haifa. We learn about this deadly attack and discuss the significance of both attacks -- regarding Hamas's continued battle-readiness and the IDF's vigilance. Turning to the north, on Tuesday, the IDF said it killed a “key Hamas terrorist” in a strike in Lebanon's Tripoli, naming him as Mehran Mustafa Bajur, a prominent Hamas commander. We learn about this strike, as well as ground operations inside southern Lebanon where troops raided several sites, destroying Hezbollah weapon depots and other infrastructure. Twice earlier in the week, the IDF carried out overnight raids in southern Syria, where forces captured a cell of operatives operating on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Fabian weighs in on the power vacuum left in this part of Israel's border with the new Syrian regime. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Israeli soldier killed during attempted Hamas abduction in southern Gaza, IDF says 5 IDF soldiers killed, 14 injured by roadside bombs in northern Gaza IDF says it killed key Hamas figure in Lebanon, confirms death of Oct. 7 terrorist in Gaza Troops destroy Hezbollah arms in rare southern Lebanon ground raids, IDF says For 2nd time in days, IDF says troops arrested terror cell in Syria working for Iran 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: A July 4, 2025, handout photo of IDF forces operating in the Gaza Strip. (IDF)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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24:52
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24:52
Day 642 - After PM's 2nd Trump meeting, what's next in Doha?
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. After the optimism from US officials on Monday and calls for a hostage deal by the week's end, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left the second meeting on Tuesday without any announcement, just a quiet exit from the White House, notes Magid. Magid discusses how negotiations are proceeding in Doha after US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and other officials involved in negotiations talk about several sticking issues, including humanitarian aid in Gaza, the parameters of the IDF withdrawal, ceasefire assurances, and the hostage and prisoner swap. He reviews Netanyahu's schedule for the rest of the week as well as what will be discussed in Doha on Wednesday, including Witkoff's expected arrival in Qatar for the ongoing hostage talks. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Netanyahu quietly leaves White House without announcement of breakthrough in Gaza talks Israeli officials claim 80-90% of Gaza deal settled, but core issue of ending war unresolved Netanyahu and Trump said to discuss future of Gaza ‘day after’ war with Hamas Netanyahu and Trump were joined by Vance in White House meeting — Israeli readout 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: US President Donald Trump, left, meets Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House, July 8, 2025. (Avi Ohayon/GPO)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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15:40
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15:40
Day 641 - In DC, official says Israel may temporarily govern Strip
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 and US bureau chief Jacob Magid join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington, DC, but mediators in the ongoing negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal have been notified by the Trump administration that the president expects them to secure an agreement this week. US Special Envoy to the Mideast Steve Witkoff will travel to Doha today to advance the deal. We hear from Magid and Berman what the atmosphere is like in DC: Are officials still hopeful a deal could occur according to Trump's timeline? Ahead of a White House dinner, both US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu took American media's questions, including a query about the viability of the two-state solution. We learn what Netanyahu said at the dinner, as well as remarks following the meal from a senior Israeli official who intimated that Israel is ready to temporarily govern the Gaza Strip: “There has to be a system there that manages life,” the official said. “Maybe for a certain amount of time, it is us." Yesterday, the US announced that it was revoking its “foreign terrorist organization” designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group once linked to Al-Qaeda that took control of Syria in December 2024. This comes after last week, Trump formally dismantled US sanctions against Syria. We learn what was said during the Trump-Netanyahu dinner and the US's hopes to reintegrate Syria into the global economy. Part of the reason that Netanyahu is in DC is to celebrate the success of the 12-day Israel-Iran war. In a briefing with a senior Israeli official following the dinner, it was also noted that Israel anticipates the US will permit it to launch new strikes on Iran, in the event that the Islamic Republic attempts to restart its nuclear program. There was no ceasefire deal announcement, but there was drama of a different sort: Following Trump’s opening remarks to reporters before their White House dinner, Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for the American leader on behalf of Israelis as well as Jews around the world and presented Trump with a letter he sent to the Nobel Prize committee nominating the US president for the peace prize. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: 5 IDF soldiers killed, 14 injured by roadside bomb in northern Gaza Witkoff to join hostage talks in Doha Tuesday as sides told Trump wants deal by week’s end Katz calls for confining all Gazans in ‘humanitarian city’ built over Rafah’s ruins US revokes terror label for Syria’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which toppled Assad Proposal outlines massive camps for Gazans in bid to advance Trump’s ‘vision’ – report Israel said to expect US backing for future strikes on Iran if it revives nuclear program Netanyahu surprises Trump with Nobel recommendation, as leaders stress coordination 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: A Palestinian tent city in the Al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, July 6, 2025. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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23:34
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23:34
Day 640 - PM lands in DC, issues to resolve before Trump meeting
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 reporter Sue Surkes join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lands in the US, Schneider discusses the day ahead for the Israeli leader, ahead of his Monday evening meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House, and the expectations for the announcement of a permanent ceasefire at that point. Schneider looks at the issues that still need to be resolved, including the hostages, aid distribution in Gaza and who will manage Gaza if Hamas is no longer in power. She also discusses the continuing clashes between Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, as Smotrich and his supporters accuse Zamir of being too weak in his handling of Gaza and he has lashed back, with their arguments leaked to the media. Surkes looks at what is happening at Haifa's oil refineries after two Iranian missiles hit the plant, killing three workers and creating additional environmental concerns due to pollution from the plant, with calls to shut it down. She also reports on residents from Gaza envelope communities being told by the government to return home in the next weeks and months, although there are still the sounds of war and explosions in their communities. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Heading to DC, Netanyahu seeks Gaza deal ‘on our terms,’ vows Hamas will be destroyed Smotrich reportedly clashes with Zamir over aid distribution in Gaza: ‘You have failed enormously’ Missile that hit Haifa oil refinery brings renewed urgency to plant’s closure plan Refinery hit by Iran missiles emitting ‘100 times higher than usual’ levels of benzene State approves immediate return home of 7 of 13 worst-hit Gaza border communities 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: US President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as he leaves the West Wing of the White House, April 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Mark Schiefelbein)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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22:09