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 215 of the war with Hamas. Senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and news editor Amy Spiro join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
The Biden administration on Tuesday night confirmed reports that it had recently held up a large shipment of 2,000- and 500-pound bombs that it feared Israel might use in a major ground operation in the densely populated southern Gaza city of Rafah. But it also appeared to signal its initial approval of the operation launched by Israel early Tuesday morning to take over the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. Rettig Gur weighs in on these push-pull announcements.
According to polling by the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) that was released yesterday, a majority of Israelis believe that reaching a hostage deal with Hamas should be the country’s top national priority — more important than launching a military operation against the terror group in Rafah. We hear whether this accurately reflects Israeli thinking and what the numbers truly mean.
The Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, officially began Tuesday evening with the first live semifinal. Israel’s contestant is set to take the stage only on Thursday, but there’s plenty to talk about in the meantime. Spiro fills us in.
For the latest updates, please see The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.
Discussed articles include:
US confirms holding up sale of heavy bombs it feared Israel would use in Rafah
US signals backing for ‘limited op’ after IDF takes over Gazan side of Rafah crossing
US completes construction of Gaza aid pier, but weather preventing installation
Poll: Majority of Israelis support prioritizing hostage deal over Rafah operation
Hostage families urge US, other countries to press Israel to reach deal with Hamas
Eurovision organizers rebuke performer who wore keffiyeh during first semifinal show
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
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.
IMAGE: Einav Zangauker holds a sign identifying her son Matan (24), one of the hostages taken captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip during the October 7 massacre, as she stands on the roof of a car during a demonstration by hostages' relatives and supporters in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on May 6, 2024. (Jack Guez / AFP)
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Day 244 - On Jerusalem Day, a celebratory march turns violent
Day 243 - Can Biden push Israel and Hamas to a hostage deal?
Day 242 - Will the deaths of four hostages push PM to a deal?
Day 241 - How many of Hamas's 4 Rafah battalions still stand?
Day 240 - Why did Biden urge Israel to take a deal it proposed?
Day 239 - ADL head Greenblatt on 900% rise in US antisemitism
Day 238 - Will Trump verdict give an antisemitic trope new life?
Day 237 - ToI reports back from inside Nablus and the Gaza Strip
Day 236 - MKs on right and left seek alliances, oppose PM
Day 235 - Will hostage talks resume as Rafah operation continues?
Day 234 - Hamas calls to 'rise up' after deadly airstrike in Rafah
Day 233 - After ICJ ruling, Rafah op continues unabated
Day 232 - ICJ order to 'halt' IDF depends on how it's parsed
Day 231 - Netanyahu to 'soon' address Congress. What's his goal?
Day 230 - Harrowing video spotlights female soldiers held by Hamas
Day 229 - Trio of countries to recognize Palestine. Why now?
Day 228 - Same-same? ICC prosecutor equates Israeli & Hamas leaders
Day 227 - The butcher Raisi is dead. What now for Iran?
Day 226 - Bold IDF op recovers bodies of 4 hostages from Gaza
Day 225 - US explores sanctions for extremists blocking Gaza aid
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