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. Culture editor Jessica Steinberg [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jessica-steinberg/] joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/] for today's episode. Steinberg, who has covered hostages' families and their struggle to return their loved ones for the past two years, relates several anecdotes of reunions and other moving moments. We hear about how several favored performing artists have delivered personal performances to their freshly freed fans and about a pair of prankster brothers. At recording time, a total of seven of the eight hostage bodies returned by Hamas over the past two days have been identified. They are named as: Yossi Sharabi, Cpt. Daniel Perez, Bipin Joshi, Guy Illouz, Uriel Baruch, Tamir Nimrodi, and Eitan Levy. A fourth body transferred last night does not belong to a hostage, according to the IDF. We hear about the bereaved families who are again ramping up the protests to close the circle on this painful chapter. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-october-15-2025/] For further reading: 4 bodies, purportedly of unnamed hostages, return to Israel after threat to limit aid [https://www.timesofisrael.com/4-bodies-purportedly-of-unnamed-hostages-return-to-israel-after-threat-to-limit-aid/] ‘Coming back to life’: Freed hostages’ families give updates, thanks; some snub PM [https://www.timesofisrael.com/coming-back-to-life-freed-hostages-families-give-updates-thank-yous-some-snub-pm/] 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 Podwaves. IMAGE: Relatives of hostages whose bodies are still in Gaza Strip shout slogans calling for their release at the plaza known as Hostages Square, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) 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. Editor David Horovitz [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/david-horovitz/] joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/] for today's episode. We begin the program by describing the joy and relief experienced by families of released hostages -- and all Israelis -- as they were reunited with their loved ones. However, Hamas handed over the bodies of only four dead hostages, with Israel and the families of the remaining 24 accusing the terror group of breaching its commitments under the ceasefire. The International Committee of the Red Cross said that it will take time before the bodies of all the dead hostages are returned, calling it a “massive challenge” given the difficulties of finding remains amid Gaza’s rubble. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said that it will hold an emergency meeting tonight as anger mounts. Yesterday afternoon, after the 20 living hostages had returned home, US President Donald Trump spoke at the Knesset and declared “the historic dawn of the new Middle East.” Trump said it marked “not only the end of war, but the end of an age of terror and death and the beginning of the age of faith and hope and of God.” Horovitz paints a picture of the atmosphere at the Knesset and delves into noteworthy statements. Following his Knesset speech, Trump met with the leaders of Qatar, Egypt and Turkey and signed a document in Sharm el-Sheikh aimed at enshrining the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas. Today, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he will seek the support of Gulf states, the United States and Europe for the reconstruction of Gaza under the new ceasefire deal, and he believes project financing will be provided swiftly. We discuss the viability of a phase two of Trump's peace plan. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-october-14-2025/] For further reading: All 20 remaining living hostages return to Israel, after over 2 years in Hamas captivity [https://www.timesofisrael.com/all-20-remaining-living-hostages-return-to-israel-after-over-2-years-in-hamas-captivity/] Slain hostage’s mother: Government betrayed families whose loved ones remain in Gaza [https://www.timesofisrael.com/slain-hostages-mom-government-betrayed-families-whose-loved-ones-remain-in-gaza/] Israel frees nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds of terror convicts [https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-frees-nearly-2000-palestinian-prisoners-including-hundreds-of-terror-convicts/] Rapturously received in the Knesset, Trump tells Israel it won the war, now it’s time for peace [https://www.timesofisrael.com/rapturously-received-in-the-knesset-trump-tells-israel-it-won-the-war-now-its-time-for-peace/] Full text of Trump’s Knesset speech: You’ve won. You can’t beat the world. It’s time for peace [https://www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-of-trumps-knesset-speech-youve-won-you-cant-beat-the-world-its-time-for-peace/] At Sharm summit, Trump and world leaders sign up for peace in Gaza, with Netanyahu absent [https://www.timesofisrael.com/at-sharm-summit-trump-and-world-leaders-sign-up-for-peace-in-gaza-with-netanyahu-absent/] Hamas said to kill over 30 Gazans as group moves to reassert its grip on Strip [https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-said-to-kill-over-30-gazans-as-group-moves-to-reassert-its-grip-on-strip/] Hamas reappears on Gaza’s streets, and two of three militias that fought it go quiet [https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-reappears-on-gazas-streets-and-two-of-three-militias-that-fought-it-go-quiet/] 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 Podwaves. IMAGE: A woman, left, wrapped with an Israeli flag with the photo of one of her best friend Itay Chen, who was killed in Hamas' attack on October 7, is embraced at the plaza known as Hostages Square, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) 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 correspondent 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 episode. All 20 living hostages were released in two stages this morning. Fabian speaks about their releases and their status. We hear about some of the more well-known faces among them and how they are faring today. Shortly before releasing them, the Hamas terror group on Monday morning orchestrated video calls between some of the living hostages and their families, who were anxiously awaiting their return. As we recorded just ahead of the Simhat Torah holiday in Israel, US President Donald Trump had just finished a long and colorful speech to the Knesset, in which, among other statements, he firmly announced the end of the Gaza War. Fabian summarizes Israel's losses and wounded in the war. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-october-13-2025/] For further reading: Hamas stages video calls between hostages, families in lieu of handover ceremonies [https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-stages-video-calls-between-hostages-families-in-lieu-of-handover-ceremonies/] ‘You hero’: Emotional videos show returned hostages reuniting with their families [https://www.timesofisrael.com/you-hero-emotional-videos-show-returned-hostages-reuniting-with-their-families/] 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 Podwaves. IMAGE: People hold Israeli flags in celebration after the arrival of freed hostages at Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, Israel, following their release from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, October 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) 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 Tal Schneider [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/tal-schneider/] and military correspondent Emanuel Fabian [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/emanuel-fabian/] join host Amanda Borschel-Dan [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/] for today's episode. What may have been the final Saturday night protest calling for the release of the hostages took place last night in Tel Aviv. In an unprecedented appearance, on stage at Hostages Square were US envoy Steve Witkoff, the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and his wife, the president’s daughter Ivanka Trump. Schneider describes the scene at the square and gives highlights from Kushner's speech. Has Israel fully signed on to end the war? Overnight Thursday-Friday, the cabinet voted on and ratified the implementation of phase one of the Trump plan to end the war and bring peace to Gaza. But only phase one. Schneider, who spent several days digging into the issue, explains. The Israel Defense Forces completed a withdrawal to agreed-upon deployment lines in the Gaza Strip on Friday at noon, officially beginning a ceasefire and a 72-hour countdown during which Hamas is to release the 48 hostages it is holding under the first phase of the US-brokered deal. Fabian delves into where the troops are now and what to expect from the hostages' release. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation will reportedly keep its aid distribution sites in the Rafah area of the southern Gaza Strip shuttered over the coming days, during the release of the hostages held by Hamas. Fabian explains what we know about the continued efforts of the GHF now that the IDF has left areas where it was operating. And finally, Fabian describes an early Saturday morning strike that bombed hundreds of heavy engineering vehicles the IDF said were being used by Hezbollah to rebuild its infrastructure in southern Lebanon. Could this sort of strike be a model for how the IDF will operate in the Gaza Strip during the ceasefire? Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-october-12-2025/] For further reading: Trump to visit Israel on Monday for 4 hours, address Knesset, meet PM and hostage families [https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-said-set-to-arrive-in-israel-monday-morning-for-quickfire-visit-address-knesset/] ‘Miracles can happen, the hostages are coming home,’ Witkoff tells packed Hostages Square [https://www.timesofisrael.com/miracles-can-happen-witkoff-leads-what-many-hope-is-final-hostages-square-rally/] At Hostages Square, Trump’s envoys gave Netanyahu a lesson in leadership [https://www.timesofisrael.com/at-hostages-square-trumps-envoys-gave-netanyahu-a-lesson-in-leadership/] Release of hostages set to begin Monday morning, Hamas and Israel say [https://www.timesofisrael.com/release-of-hostages-set-to-begin-monday-morning-hamas-and-israel-confirm/] Witkoff visits Gaza base as ceasefire holds and displaced Palestinians return home [https://www.timesofisrael.com/witkoff-visits-gaza-base-as-ceasefire-holds-and-displaced-palestinians-return-home/] The living hostages expected to be released from Gaza under the ceasefire deal [https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-living-hostages-expected-to-be-released-from-gaza-under-the-ceasefire-deal/] IDF says strikes in Lebanon destroyed hundreds of Hezbollah construction vehicles [https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-strikes-in-lebanon-destroyed-hundreds-of-hezbollah-construction-vehicles/] 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 Podwaves. IMAGE: A man wearing a mask resembling US President Donald Trump holds a sign designed like a Nobel Peace Prize medal during a rally in support of hostages held by Hamas, at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan [https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/] speaking with The Times of Israel's senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur, marking two years since the October 7, 2023, Hamas onslaught on southern Israel. To gain a sense of the Israeli public sentiment after two years of war, Rettig Gur analyzes a new survey conducted by Agam Labs and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, led by Nimrod Nir and Dr. Gayil Talshir. The researchers found, in surveying  2,170 Jewish Israelis and 459 Arab Israelis, that there is a drastic shift in Israelis' perceptions of their society and politicians.  In one of the more dramatic findings, the report states that the initial unity found in the early months of the war has flipped to a division: from 77% in 2023 saying the war “united society” to 66% in 2025 saying it made society more divided. Pointing to Israel's strengths and human capital, Rettig Gur leaves us with an optimistic framing of the internal work that needs to be done, even as Israel has largely defeated its greatest enemies. And so this week, we ask Haviv Rettig Gur, what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/times-will-tell/id1067953235?mt=2], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5Hqgs4Cy5VkdXB51eW2jjd], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMHmmVLVJUNrE198zXKQWna] or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves [https://thepodwaves.com/]. IMAGE: On October 7, 2025, thousands assemble in Hostages Square, Tel Aviv, to watch the broadcast of the Bereaved Families Memorial Ceremony marking two years since the October 7, 2023, massacre. (Paulina Patimer) See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.