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.
US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today’s episode.
Magid discusses how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government flip-flopped Tuesday night, releasing a series of statements on what would happen to the ceasefire if some — or maybe all — of the hostages held in Gaza are not released on Saturday. Magid suggests the lack of clarity could be part of an effort to keep Hamas guessing while getting on board with US President Donald Trump’s demands.
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As the IDF prepares to move enlisted soldiers to the Gaza border and called on reservists to ready themselves, Magid says there may be more legitimacy being granted by the US for Israel to battle Hamas again.
Magid reviews Trump’s meeting with Jordan’s Abdullah, in which the king offered to take in 2,000 sick Palestinian children — although it appears that Jordan is not interested in taking in large numbers of Gazan refugees and sees it as exporting the conflict.
He also talks about the Palestinian Authority announcement on halting “pay to slay” welfare stipends for Palestinian security prisoners held by Israel and families of Palestinian terrorists who were killed in the course of their attacks.
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:
Netanyahu: ‘Intense fighting’ to resume in Gaza if hostages not released by Saturday
Trump urges ending Gaza ceasefire if all hostages not released by noon Saturday
Abdullah says Jordan will take in 2,000 sick Gazan kids as Trump pushes relocation plan
Architect of US law against PA ‘pay-to-slay’ skeptical of Ramallah effort to end it