Daily Briefing Feb. 11: Day 494 – Will the ceasefire hold? Cabinet discusses next steps

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.

Political correspondent Tal Schneider and Diaspora reporter Zev Stub join host Jessica Steinberg for today’s episode.

Schneider discusses details that have emerged from the testimony of recently released hostages, including signs of life from twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman who are held in Gaza. Also announced today is the death of hostage Shlomo Mantzur, 85, who, we now hear, was killed on October 7, 2023, and whose body was taken into captivity by Hamas terrorists.

As the cabinet meets Tuesday morning to discuss the Hamas accusation that Israel has breached the ceasefire deal, Schneider reviews what those alleged breaches may be, including Israel not negotiating in Qatar on the second stage of the deal, and delays in sending certain supplies to Gaza.

Stub previews the World Zionist Organization’s online election in March, and explains how the event, held every five years, is central when it comes to the allocation of vast sums of “the Jewish people’s money,” and this year emblemizes the Orthodox-liberal struggle in the Jewish world.

He also discusses the growth of the Orthodox Union in Israel, and the organization’s decision to embrace that growth by moving into new offices.

Please see today’s ongoing live blog for more updates.

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.

For further reading:

IDF says Shlomo Mantzur was killed on Oct. 7 and his body taken to Gaza

Hamas says it’s delaying next hostage release, alleging Israeli truce violations

Trump urges ending Gaza ceasefire if all hostages not released by noon Saturday

The man with the plan: DC prof sent Trump study on Gaza relocation, development in July

Upcoming WZO election sees Orthodox-liberal struggle, opportunity for North American Jews

As religious immigration rises, OU expands presence in Israel, investing in integration

Check out yesterday’s Daily Briefing episode here: