The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

Available Episodes

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Day 724 - Gaza City nearly encircled as IDF deepens operations
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 joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. We begin the program with an update on the car-ramming attack on Sunday in the West Bank that took the life of Staff Sgt. Inbar Avraham Kav, 20, of the Paratroopers Brigade’s 890th Battalion. Turning to Gaza, we speak about how the IDF is operating in the Strip by land, air and sea: The Israeli Air Force struck some 140 targets in the Gaza Strip in the past day, the Navy shelled a weapons depot and other buildings Hamas operatives were using in the Strip’s north, and ground troops from three IDF divisions continue to push into Gaza City. Hamas claimed Sunday that it had lost contact with two hostages during Israeli operations in a pair of Gaza City neighborhoods. Fabian weighs the claims and gives more background information. A ballistic missile launched by the Houthis in Yemen at Israel overnight Sunday was intercepted by air defenses. This comes after what Fabian calls the most intensive strike in Yemen yet. Thousands of Hezbollah supporters gathered Saturday at the tomb of slain leader Hassan Nasrallah to commemorate one year since his assassination by an Israeli airstrike. Fabian assesses the changes in Israel's operations in Lebanon over the past year. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: IDF soldier killed by gunfire during car-ramming in northern West Bank IDF says 780,000 have fled Gaza City; Hamas says dozens killed in unrelenting strikes Hamas says it has lost contact with two hostages amid IDF push into Gaza City IDF intercepts Yemen ballistic missile; Houthis say it had cluster bomb warhead Drones circle overhead as thousands in Beirut mark anniversary of Hezbollah’s chief’s death Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: IDF's Givati Brigade operates in Gaza City in this September 29, 2025, handout photo. (IDF)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 723 - Trump's 21-point Gaza plan, broken down
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 Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. We start with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech on Friday at the UN General Assembly. Magid describes the atmosphere in the room and points out that since Netanyahu was the first speaker of the session, in order to stage a dramatic emptying of the hall, the nations' delegates needed to be punctual -- just to walk out. We learn about what Netanyahu said and hear about the gimmicks used in his delivery. In the second half of the program, we discuss the 21-point US proposal for ending the war in Gaza, which encourages Palestinians to remain in the Strip and provides for the creation of a pathway to a future Palestinian state, according to a verified copy of the plan obtained by Magid. We delve into the plan, point by point, and Magid provides commentary on some of the more confusing or vague statements. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Revealed: US 21-point plan for ending Gaza war, creating pathway to Palestinian state Full text of Netanyahu’s speech: We won’t let the world shove a terror state down our throat In defiant UN speech, PM rips world leaders for turning backs on Israel, recognizing Palestine IDF ordered to broadcast Netanyahu’s UN speech to residents of Gaza Strip Hamas hails walkout during Netanyahu’s UN speech, says it shows Israel’s ‘isolation’ Trump vows ‘intense’ talks to continue until deal reached to free hostages, end Gaza war Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: IDF forces operate in the Gaza Strip in this September 28, 2025, handout. (IDF)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 722 - Yossi Klein Halevi: Struggling to make moral sense of the Gaza war
Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Yossi Klein Halevi. This week, we speak with Hartman Institute senior fellow, author and thinker Yossi Klein Halevi from his Jerusalem home overlooking the back of the Mount Herzl National Military Cemetery. With that backdrop, we delve into a recently published Klein Halevi essay, "Our season of reckoning: Israel’s moral crossroads in Gaza," which he said was the hardest piece he's ever written -- and the one that has received the most response. We learn why Klein Halevi felt it important to chart this moment of ethical dimension, as it is unlike any other the IDF and the nation has faced. While Klein Halevi may not have the answers to the multitude of questions facing the world's most moral army, he believes the struggle and questioning are imperative for both Israelis and Diaspora Jews. And so this week, we ask Yossi Klein Halevi, what matters now? What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Yossi Klein Halevi (courtesy) / People take part in a protest demanding the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas and calling for the end of the war in the Gaza Strip, in Jerusalem, September 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 721 - Lazar Berman: Who's afraid of a Palestinian state?
Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, Friday Focus. Each Friday, join host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. On Sunday, the tally of the 193 UN members who recognize a State of Palestine grew to at least 145 as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal formally joined their ranks. Several other countries, including France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Malta, followed suit during a summit on the future of the two-state solution chaired by France and Saudi Arabia on Monday at United Nations headquarters in New York. We discuss why these states believe that this recognition is an anti-Hamas gesture and may kick off negotiations to end the war in Gaza. Israel, for its part, thinks that the recognition is a prize for terror: On this, Hamas appeared to agree, thanking the UK and Canada and calling their action a “victory.” This week, Berman delves into the knotty issue of Palestinian statehood and potentially unforeseen ripple effects. Friday Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Lazar Berman (courtesy) / A sticker on a desk reads 'State of Palestine' at the Palestinian mission to France, one day after France recognized Palestinian statehood, September 23, 2025, in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 720 - Trump's Gaza plan pins hopes on Arab states
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. Following US President Donald Trump’s must-anticipated meeting at the United Nations with leaders of eight Arab countries, Magid discusses aspects of Trump’s 21-point plan, based on the proposal worked on by former UK prime minister Tony Blair. Magid points out that Trump assured the participating leaders that the US will not allow Israel to annex parts of the West Bank, after being quiet on their position. Magid also discusses the French plan to stabilize the region, with five Arab countries named as likely sponsors and with a two-page proposal that specifically discusses disarming Hamas as part of the plan. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Trump presented comprehensive plan to end Gaza war in UN meeting with Muslim leaders French proposal envisions multinational Gaza force tasked with gradually disarming Hamas Heading to UN, Netanyahu dismisses Palestine recognition as ‘shameful capitulation’ Qatar, Jordan denounce Netanyahu as warmonger, regional threat; Indonesia says ‘Shalom’ US envoy Witkoff ‘confident’ of Gaza breakthrough in coming days as peace plan floated France, Saudi Arabia in warning to Israel: ‘Any form of annexation is a red line’ Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump attends a multilateral meeting with leaders of Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, during the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, September 23, 2025, in New York. (Reuters)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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