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 246 - Archaeologist Jodi Magness on ever-changing, eternal Jerusalem
Day 245 - PM to visit DC in a month. Will Israel still be at war?
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?
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