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.
It is day 207 of the war with Hamas. Diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
Reports about a potential hostage release deal are, as ever, a rollercoaster of emotions: Yesterday, headlines were filled with positive signs, but today we’re hearing that Israel has decided it will not be sending a delegation to Cairo for hostage talks yet. Berman gives us a sense of where things stand now.
US Congress members from both parties have reportedly warned of retaliation from Washington, amid fears that the International Criminal Court may issue warrants against Israelis, concerned that the move could sink the hostages-for-truce agreement in the works between Israel and Hamas. We hear why the court may suddenly issue these warrants for alleged war crimes perpetrated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi -- or at least, why the issue is suddenly in the news again.
Several European member states are expected to recognize Palestinian statehood by the end of May, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday at the sidelines of a World Economic Forum special meeting in Riyadh. Which states and what could this mean for Israel on the international stage?
An overwhelming majority of Americans believe Israel should go ahead with an offensive in Rafah to end the war against Hamas, according to a new Harvard CAPS Harris poll. Berman shares his experience of overwhelming support for Israel while he was recently in the US.
For the latest updates, please see The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.
Discussed articles include:
Blinken hopes Hamas takes Israel’s ‘extraordinarily generous’ truce offer
US lawmakers threaten retaliation against UN court over potential Israel arrest warrants
What is the International Criminal Court and why does it worry Israeli leaders?
Israel working to block feared ICC arrest warrants against PM, others over Gaza war
EU top diplomat: At least 5 countries expected to recognize Palestinian state in May
Over 70% of US voters back Israeli offensive in Rafah to defeat Hamas — poll
THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel
THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown
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IMAGE: A protester with a zipper over her mouth holds a poster showing pictures of Israeli hostages taken captive by Hamas and other terrorists in Gaza during the October 7 attacks, during a demonstration calling for their release in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on April 27, 2024. (Jack Guez / AFP)
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Day 224: PM crisis looms with post-Gaza plans, Haredi draft
Day 223 - Gallant (again) delivers an explosive speech. Now what?
Day 222 - Gaza heats up as Independence Day marked alternatively
Day 221 - Why a 43-year-old rabbi joined the IDF post-Oct. 7
Day 220 - A day of reckoning as Israel observes Memorial Day
Day 219 - IDF preps more Rafah ops while fighting in Gaza's north
IDF expands Rafah operation, US okay with it so far
Day 217 - Blinken report to exonerate Israel; will US arms follow?
Day 216 - Biden drops bombshell, Hamas’s duplicitous ‘deal’
Day 215 - What is Israelis' top priority: War or hostages?
Day 214 - Has the IDF crossed the Rubicon into Rafah?
Day 213: War at a crossroads as IDF orders partial Rafah evacuation
Day 212 - Oct. 7 victims' graves reopened to ID more burnt corpses
Day 211 - Are US high schools the next Gaza war battleground?
Day 210 - Turkey halts all trade with Israel after 75 years of commerce
Day 209 - Blinken delivers bear hug while warning against Rafah op
Day 208 - Strong political reactions to proposed hostage deal
Day 206 - How seriously should we view the US campus protests?
Day 205 - As Hezbollah rattles sabers, what are its capabilities?
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