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 166 - As Canada halts arms to Israel, who could follow?
Day 165 - How resettling Gaza is not a quixotic passing fancy
Day 164 - Why Schumer's speech fell on deaf Israeli ears
Day 163 - IDF secures first sea-drop of Gazan aid. Sustainable?
Day 162 - Who was Senator Schumer's 'howler' speech aimed at?
Day 161 - Brothers in Arms eyes politics; EVOO shortage?
Day 160 - General's mic drop as Blinken gives IDF new 'orders'
Day 159 - By land, air and sea, humanitarian aid rushed to Gaza
Day 158 - Tel Aviv markets optimistic; rabbinical threat over Haredi draft
Day 157 - And the Oscar goes to... the Hamas propaganda machine
Day 156 - A deep dive into the ongoing IDF operations in Gaza
Day 155 - Hope floats? How the US is building a dock off Gaza
Day 154 - East Jlemites expect different kind of Ramadan
Day 153 - Oct. 7 & Meron disaster: A pattern of poor leadership?
Day 152 - Gantz wraps up US trip, with questionable results
Day 151 - Where is world outcry after UN finds hostages are raped?
Day 150 - Israel pushes aid into Gaza. So why isn't it delivered?
Day 149 - Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the 'other' bad guys in Gaza
Day 148 - Why US-airdropped aid to Gaza is a drop in the bucket
Day 147 - Chain of events of deadly stampede in Gaza unraveled
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