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. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/emanuel-fabian/]joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/] for today's Daily Briefing. This morning, the Israeli military said it has deployed troops along the coast of the far north of the Gaza Strip, as well as in the Netzarim Corridor and in the southern Gaza Strip. We discuss the ongoing airstrikes -- and how targets are chosen -- and the potential goals of the increased ground operation so far. Yemen’s Houthi rebels issued a statement claiming responsibility for the ballistic missile fired at Israel overnight, saying the Palestine-2 projectile targeted Ben Gurion Airport. Earlier, on Tuesday evening, the Houthis also launched a ballistic missile at Israel from Yemen Tuesday evening, which marked the first attack from the Iran-backed group since the ceasefire came into effect in the Gaza Strip two months ago. What were the results of both missiles? On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces presented its probe into the battle at Kibbutz Alumim — the latest in its detailed investigations of some 40 battles that took place during Hamas’s October 7 attack, when some 5,600 terrorists stormed across the border, massacred some 1,200 people, and took 251 hostages to Gaza. In the second half of our program, we go in depth into the Alumim probe and address the IDF's devastating probe of Kibbutz Nir Oz, which was released last week. Please see today's ongoing liveblog for more updates. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-20-2025/] For further reading: IDF ground forces operating in Gaza; Katz warns of ‘total destruction’ unless hostages returned [https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-troops-operating-in-gaza-katz-warns-of-total-destruction-unless-hostages-returned/] IDF downs Houthi missile as sirens send millions in central Israel to shelters at 4 a.m. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-downs-houthi-missile-as-sirens-send-millions-in-central-israel-to-shelters-at-4-a-m/] Civil defense team stopped major Hamas invasion at Alumim, but dozens were murdered outside [https://www.timesofisrael.com/troops-stopped-major-hamas-invasion-at-alumim-but-dozens-were-murdered-outside/] ‘Massive failure’: First troops reached Kibbutz Nir Oz 40 minutes after last terrorists left [https://www.timesofisrael.com/massive-failure-first-troops-reached-kibbutz-nir-oz-40-minutes-after-last-terrorists-left/] Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-times-of-israel-daily-briefing/id1547404042], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1vhvFPvN0fFn5YRHCEcxrn], YouTube, [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMbb0w1n0Ev0orcVkufgZ89] or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: IDF troops of the 252nd Division operate in northern Gaza, in a handout photo issued by the military on March 20, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces) See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

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 [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jacob-magid/]joins host Jessica Steinberg [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jessica-steinberg/] for today's Daily Briefing. As Israel continued to bombard parts of the Gaza Strip for the second night in a row, Magid discusses the full-throttled support for Israel from the US. He comments that the Trump administration believes that Hamas is at fault, and the terror organization could have released hostages but refused and chose war instead. Magid comments on the shift from the Biden administration and the fact that US President Donald Trump hasn't yet commented on the military pressure. Magid looks at the latest with hostage envoy Adam Boehler after his unsuccessful attempts to negotiate directly with Hamas, a move that angered Israel. It appears that Steve Witkoff is back in charge of the US negotiating efforts for Israel. Boehler spent the week in Montana, says Jacob, hosting a summit at his home with participants from several countries, part of a collaboration to ensure that the act of hostage-taking around the world is eradicated. Magid also discusses the latest in the US funding of Palestinian Authority security forces in the West Bank, as PA President Mahmoud Abbas canceled legislation that conditioned welfare payments to Palestinian security prisoners on the length of their sentences in Israeli jails. Instead, the PA will be basing payments to all Palestinians strictly on financial need. Please see today's ongoing liveblog for more updates. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-19-2025/] For further reading: Israel resumes Gaza strikes, says Hamas collapsed truce by refusing to free hostages [https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-restarts-gaza-strikes-blames-hamas-for-not-releasing-hostages-as-truce-collapses/] US envoy to UN says blame for renewed Gaza fighting ‘lies solely with Hamas’ [https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-envoy-to-un-says-blame-for-renewed-gaza-fighting-lies-solely-with-hamas/] Embattled US hostage envoy hosts summit for global counterparts in Big Sky, Montana [https://www.timesofisrael.com/embattled-us-hostage-envoy-hosts-summit-for-global-counterparts-in-big-sky-montana/] Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-times-of-israel-daily-briefing/id1547404042], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1vhvFPvN0fFn5YRHCEcxrn], YouTube, [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMbb0w1n0Ev0orcVkufgZ89] or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Israelis marching for hostages and efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to try and fire Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, on Road 1 outside Jerusalem, March 18, 2025. (Photo by Yonatan SIndel/Flash90) See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

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 [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/lazar-berman/]joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/] for today's Daily Briefing. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas collapsed early this morning after roughly two months, as the Israel Defense Forces launched dozens of strikes throughout Gaza and issued evacuation orders for parts of the Strip. We work through what brought Israel to the renewal of more intensive fighting. Yesterday, US President Donald Trump declared he would hold Iran directly responsible for any future attacks by Yemen’s Tehran-backed Houthi rebels, who recently claimed to have targeted a US aircraft carrier and other foreign ships in the Red Sea. Berman weighs in on this new approach by the Trump administration, which has widely vowed to "end wars, not start them." CBS News reported on Monday that Israel and the United States are interested in resettling Gazans in Syria. The report came as Israel is working quietly to advance a controversial plan proposed by Trump, in which Gaza’s more than 2 million people would be permanently — or even temporarily — sent elsewhere. But does Israel want the Gazans sent to another volatile border nation? Please see today's ongoing liveblog for more updates. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-18-2025/] For further reading: Trump said to ‘green-light’ renewal of Gaza strikes, as world laments truce collapse [https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-said-to-green-light-renewal-of-gaza-strikes-as-world-laments-truce-collapse/] Israel resumes Gaza strikes, says Hamas collapsed truce by refusing to free hostages [https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-restarts-gaza-strikes-blames-hamas-for-not-releasing-hostages-as-truce-collapses/] After deadlock in Doha hostage talks, Israeli team heads to Cairo in search of results [https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-deadlock-in-doha-hostage-talks-israeli-team-heads-to-cairo-in-search-of-results/] US, Israel see Syria as possible home for relocated Gazans, says report [https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-israel-see-syria-as-possible-home-for-relocated-gazans-says-report/] Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-times-of-israel-daily-briefing/id1547404042], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1vhvFPvN0fFn5YRHCEcxrn], YouTube, [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMbb0w1n0Ev0orcVkufgZ89] or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: An Israeli army soldier signals for the driver of a Merkava battle tank attempting to park at a position in southern Israel along the northern Gaza Strip on March 18, 2025. (Menahem Kahana / AFP) See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

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 [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/emanuel-fabian/]joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/] for today's Daily Briefing. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed on Monday to have twice attacked an American aircraft carrier group within 24 hours, calling it retaliation for deadly US strikes. How is Israel preparing for any retaliation as well? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar for an urgent meeting in his office yesterday evening and informed him that the cabinet would vote for his dismissal later in the week. The role of Shin Bet chief is one of the most important for Israel’s security. Fabian weighs in on how the upcoming dismissal could potentially shake the country’s deterrence or security standing and we hear who may be in the running to replace Bar. The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday detailed the identities of six Palestinian terror operatives it said were killed in airstrikes in northern Gaza’s Beit Lahiya on Saturday, including a terrorist who participated in the October 7, 2023, onslaught. According to Palestinian media, the strikes killed nine, including journalists. What is the IDF saying about these allegations? Israeli soldiers shot dead two suspects who crossed into Israel from Jordan near the northern town of Beit She’an shortly after midnight between Thursday and Friday. The two suspects were part of a group of at least eight who were trying to cross into Israel together. We hear what we know about the group's intentions in entering Israel. Amid the unrest in Syria, Israeli fighter jets on Thursday struck a residential building that the military said served as a Damascus headquarters for Palestinian Islamic Jihad to plan and carry out terror activities. Fabian delves into the IDF's current approach to nipping Palestinian terror groups in the bud in tumultuous Syria. The IDF has taken a platoon of reservists out of the Gaza Strip after a video posted to social media showed the troops opening fire during the reading of the Book of Esther. Yesterday, the reservists were sentenced. Does the punishment fit the crime? Please see today's ongoing liveblog for more updates. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-17-2025/] For further reading: Houthis claim 2 attacks on USS Truman; US strikes said to target seized Israel-linked ship [https://www.timesofisrael.com/houthis-claim-2-attacks-on-uss-truman-us-strikes-said-to-target-seized-israel-linked-ship/] Air Force on high alert for resumption of Houthi missile, drone attacks on Israel [https://www.timesofisrael.com/air-force-on-high-alert-for-resumption-of-houthi-missile-drone-attacks-on-israel/] Netanyahu says he’ll fire Shin Bet chief Bar; AG says he can’t before legal review [https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-says-hell-fire-shin-bet-chief-bar-ag-says-he-cant-before-legal-review/] IDF: Oct. 7 terrorist and others ‘operating under guise of journalists’ killed in Gaza [https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-oct-7-terrorist-and-others-operating-under-guise-of-journalists-killed-in-gaza/] IDF troops shoot dead two suspects trying to cross into Israel from Jordan [https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-troops-shoot-dead-two-suspects-trying-to-cross-into-israel-from-jordan/] IDF strikes alleged Islamic Jihad nerve center in Damascus, said to be leader’s house [https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-strikes-alleged-islamic-jihad-nerve-center-in-damascus-said-to-be-leaders-house/] IDF removes reservists from Gaza over video of them shooting during Purim scroll reading [https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-removes-reservists-from-gaza-over-video-of-them-shooting-during-purim-scroll-reading/] Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-times-of-israel-daily-briefing/id1547404042], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1vhvFPvN0fFn5YRHCEcxrn], YouTube, [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMbb0w1n0Ev0orcVkufgZ89] or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Illustrative: Ronen Bar, chief of Israel's domestic Shin Bet security agency, attends a ceremony marking Memorial Day for fallen soldiers of Israel's wars and victims of attacks at Jerusalem's Mount Herzl military cemetery, May 13, 2024. (Gil Cohen-Magen/Pool photo via AP) See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

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 Sam  [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/sam-sokol/]Sokol  [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/sam-sokol/]joins host Jessica Steinberg [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jessica-steinberg/] for today's Daily Briefing. As the IDF faces problems recruiting reserve troops after more than 15 months of war and mounting anger against the ultra-Orthodox for not shouldering the burden, Sokol discusses the latest in the Haredi draft issue, coming to a head in the current budget debates. Sokol says the various ultra-Orthodox parties are playing this issue differently, although they all appear to want the same thing: exemptions for yeshiva students and will use different tactics to achieve their goals. He also describes his ongoing investigation into the growing number of Haredi organizations offering advice to yeshiva students and families about how to dodge draft notices. Sokol is investigating the pattern of behavior that's emerging, the illegalities involved in advising someone to avoid the draft, and the security apparatus's reticence to take action on this growing trend. Please see today's ongoing liveblog for more updates. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-16-2025/] For further reading: AG, police silent in face of growing ecosystem of Haredi evasion organizations [https://www.timesofisrael.com/ag-police-silent-in-face-of-growing-ecosystem-of-haredi-evasion-organizations/] Hasidic MKs tell Netanyahu they’ll oppose budget if draft exemption law not passed [https://www.timesofisrael.com/hasidic-mks-tell-netanyahu-theyll-oppose-budget-if-draft-exemption-law-not-passed/] Haredi lawmakers split on approach to budget, which must pass this month or gov’t falls [https://www.timesofisrael.com/ultra-orthodox-lawmakers-split-on-approach-to-budget-as-government-hangs-in-balance/] ‘Do not cooperate’: Nonprofit linked to top Haredi rabbis encourages draft dodging [https://www.timesofisrael.com/do-not-cooperate-nonprofit-linked-to-top-haredi-rabbis-encourages-draft-dodging/] Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-times-of-israel-daily-briefing/id1547404042], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1vhvFPvN0fFn5YRHCEcxrn], YouTube, [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMbb0w1n0Ev0orcVkufgZ89] or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Haredi Jews clash with police during a protest against the ultra-Orthodox draft on Road 4 outside Bnei Brak on March 2, 2025 (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.