The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

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Day 507 - Tanks in the West Bank and IAF buzzes Nasrallah funeral
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 reporter Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's Daily Briefing. The White House says that it supports Israel’s decision to delay releasing 600 Palestinian prisoners, citing the “barbaric treatment” of Israeli hostages by Hamas. At the same time, we’re hearing for the first time from US President Donald Trump’s Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff that he will come to the region this week to try and negotiate an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, which is supposed to conclude at the end of the week with the return of four additional bodies of hostages. Berman updates us on the current status of the talks. Yesterday, Israeli tanks deployed to the West Bank for the first time in over 20 years and Defense Minister Israel Katz said he had instructed the IDF to stay for at least the next year in West Bank refugee camps that have been cleared of terror operatives and civilians, and not allow some 40,000 displaced Palestinians to return. Does the IDF have the manpower for such an operation? Tens of thousands of black-clad mourners vowed support for the Hezbollah terror group Sunday at the Beirut funeral of slain leader Hassan Nasrallah, after the group was dealt major blows in its last round of hostilities with Israel. As the funeral began at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Lebanon’s biggest sports arena, Israeli warplanes flew at a low altitude over Beirut. What was Israel's message with this fly over? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a “warm conversation” last night with Friedrich Merz, the presumptive German chancellor after his CDU/CSU came first in the German elections yesterday. But the standout saga from these elections is the surge in support for far-right anti-immigration party AfD, which took a historic second place among the electorate. Berman weighs in. On the eve of the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has faced fierce criticism from the new US administration, leading Zelensky to offer to quit his post if it would mean that Ukraine could join NATO. Publicity stunt or authentic plea? Please see today's ongoing live blog for more updates. Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ben Wallick. For further reading: In first, Witkoff says US looking to extend hostage deal’s current phase In visit to Tulkarem, Netanyahu calls to expand West Bank counterterror operation Holding up photo of Bibas family, PM says Israel must ‘remember what we’re fighting for’ IDF deploys tanks in West Bank for first time since 2002, sending 3 to Jenin as it expands op Tens of thousands shout ‘Death to Israel’ at Nasrallah funeral, as Israeli jets fly overhead Germany’s rising far-right AfD is split over Israel. Jews call party ‘a danger’ either way Responding to Trump, Zelensky says he’d resign if it meant Ukraine could join NATO IMAGE: An Israeli tank drives towards the Jenin camp in the West Bank, February 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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21:01
Day 506 - Torture, isolation: What 6 freed hostages endured
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. Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's Daily Briefing. Six Israelis held hostage by Hamas were released yesterday -- four whom were taken on October 7, 2023, and two who were in the Strip for about a decade. Horovitz relates what we're beginning to learn about the horrific conditions of their captivities. Hamas published a video Saturday showing Israeli hostages Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa Dalal being forced to watch as other captives were freed and begging to be saved as well. Also with this in mind, Israel said early Sunday that it was delaying the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners who had been slated to go free Saturday until Jerusalem receives assurances regarding the end of “humiliating ceremonies” staged by Hamas when hostages are handed over. Hamas claims this is a pretext. Is it? Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer reportedly met US Mideast special envoy Steve Witkoff in Washington on Thursday to kick off talks on phase two of the hostage release and ceasefire deal with Hamas, as mixed messaging emerges on the likelihood of a next stage. Horovitz delves into the uncertainty of the negotiations, even as Israel has apparent US backing for whatever decision it makes about a second phase or a return to war. Tens of thousands gathered in Beirut for the funeral of Hezbollah’s former leader Hassan Nasrallah, nearly five months after he was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a southern suburb of the Lebanese capital. We discuss who may be in attendance and what this funeral aims to accomplish. Please see today's ongoing live blog for more updates. 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. For further reading: Hostages were chained, starved, kept in pitch black; some return almost unresponsive Hamas propaganda clip shows hostages forced to watch as others are freed Israel halts release of Palestinian prisoners over ‘humiliating’ hostage handovers Dermer in US to meet Witkoff on ‘difficult’ phase two of hostage-ceasefire deal Trump: I really am fine with any decision Israel makes — continue truce or resume war Iran’s parliament speaker, foreign minister to attend funeral of Hezbollah’s Nasrallah IMAGE: Freed hostage Hisham al-Sayed arrives at Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv, after being released by Hamas following 10 years in Gaza captivity, February 22, 2025. (Maayan Toaf/GPO)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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21:57
Day 505 - 6 gaunt hostages released by Hamas, 2 after a decade
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 Daily Briefing. Kibbutz Nir Oz said early Saturday morning that resident Shiri Bibas was murdered while held captive in Gaza, after Hamas handed over her body overnight and it was brought to Israel for identification. Fabian updates us on what we know of her and her children's fate. Hostages Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed were released from captivity and returned to Israel today, as part of the ongoing ceasefire-hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. The terror group paraded five of the six freed hostages on stages in propaganda-filled handover ceremonies in two locations in Gaza, handing them over to the Red Cross, while al-Sayed was released separately to the Red Cross later in the day, without a ceremony. We hear a little about each man's current status and how he arrived in Gaza. Israel Police and the Shin Bet security agency reportedly detained two Jewish Israelis and a Palestinian in connection with explosions on three buses in central Israel Thursday night, as the IDF bolstered operations in the West Bank following what is thought to have been a narrowly averted large-scale terror attack. There is a gag order on this case, so Fabian updates us on what we are allowed to report. Please see today's ongoing live blog for more updates. 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 Adina Karpuj. For further reading: Shiri Bibas’s body returned to Israel; officials assess she was ‘brutally’ murdered with sons in Gaza IDF: Captors murdered children Ariel and Kfir Bibas ‘in cold blood’ with ‘their bare hands’ These are the six living hostages set to be released Saturday These are the 4 hostages set to be released on Thursday; all are believed to be dead 2 Jewish Israelis, Palestinian said arrested in connection with botched bus bombings IMAGE: Israelis in Hostages Square, Tel Aviv, watch a big screen showing the releases of hostages Avera Mengistu and Tal Shoham from Hamas captivity in Gaza, February 22, 2025. (Roya Lavi / Hostages Families Forum)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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19:21
Day 504 - Where is Shiri Bibas?
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 reporter Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's Daily Briefing updates, followed by the weekly Friday Focus, The Times of Israel's newest podcast series. Each Friday, catch Berman and Borschel-Dan for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. Slain hostages Oded Lifshitz, and brothers Ariel and Kfir Bibas, were identified after their remains were returned to Israel by Hamas on Thursday but the military said another body sent by the terror group was not the young boys’ mother Shiri Silberman Bibas. We learn more about the fates of the young boys and what have been official Israel’s reactions so far. Three empty buses exploded in quick succession in parking lots in the Tel Aviv suburbs of Bat Yam and Holon on Thursday night in what police said was a suspected terror attack. There were no injuries reported in the incidents. Police said they neutralized two other unexploded devices on buses nearby. Berman fills us in with what we know about who may be the perpetrators. On the Friday Focus, ahead of the three-year mark of the ongoing Ukraine war, Berman assesses how the potential winding down of the conflict is stirring up all sorts of other battles on the international stage. We discuss the origins of the current Russo-Ukraine war and the competing narratives surrounding it, even as Israel attempts to trod on semi-neutral ground. Finally, we hear how US President Donald Trump views the conflict that is occurring far from his borders, and his country's "obligation" to fund it. Please see today's ongoing live blog for more updates. 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. For further reading: Remains ID’d of Oded Lifshitz, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, but other body isn’t the boys’ mom Shiri 3 buses explode in Bat Yam, Holon in suspected strategically planned terror attack IMAGE: This combination of pictures created on February 20, 2025 shows posters bearing the portraits of Israeli hostages Shiri Bibas (C) and her two children Ariel (L) and Kfir (R), held in the Gaza Strip since the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, set up on a square outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, on January 21, 2025 (AFP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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38:58
Day 503 - In grotesque 'ceremony,' Hamas hands over 4 coffins
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. Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Coffins holding what are believed to be the bodies of four slain hostages were driven across the border from the Gaza Strip back into Israel this morning, 503 days after they were abducted alive by Hamas-led terrorists. The four were named by Israel and by their terrorist captors as Shiri Bibas, Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz, all kidnapped from their homes in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. In today's episode, we hear about two ceremonies conducted this morning: one, a cynically staged Hamas propaganda fest in Gaza; the other held by the IDF in the Gaza Strip led by IDF Chief Rabbi Brig. Gen. Eyal Karim. We learn what the Bibas family and Oded Lifshitz represent to Israeli society and how their families are reacting to the apparent return of their bodies. We also preview Saturday's planned release of six living male hostages, including how they were likely chosen, and discuss a Hamas offer to release all remaining hostages in one go in a potential phase two of the ongoing ceasefire-hostage release deal. Please see today's ongoing live blog for more updates. 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. For further reading: The worst news of all Bodies believed to be of 4 slain hostages brought to Israel, 503 days after they were taken alive Bibas and Lifshitz hostage families cling to hope, say they’ll await final identification of bodies These are the six living hostages set to be released Saturday IMAGE: Palestinian terrorists carry one of the coffins said to carry the bodies of four slain Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in Khan Younis in the Gaza on February 20, 2025. (Eyad BABA / AFP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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