Daily Briefing Feb. 27: Day 510 - 4 more hostage bodies arrive home, after Bibas burial

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.

ToI founding editor David Horovitz joins host Jessica Steinberg for today’s Daily Briefing.

Following the heartbreaking Wednesday burial of Shiri Bibas, Ariel Bibas and Kfir Bibas, Israel received the bodies of four more hostages, Itzik Elgarat, Tsahi Idan, Ohad Yahalomi and Shlomo Mantzur, returned in the middle of the night.

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Horovitz discusses the ongoing national mourning for the hostages, including the outpouring of sorrow for the Bibas family, who became a symbol of the October 7 tragedy, highlighting the emotional toll on the mourning families and the nation as a whole.

The return overnight of the four hostage bodies marks the end of the first phase of the hostage deal, at least as things stand now, and Horovitz reviews Israel’s military strategy and political dynamics that are closely intertwined with the negotiations.

Horovitz also examines how Hamas is perceived by the US, and the role of Qatar in the conflict, reflecting on the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle the ideology behind Hamas and to deradicalize the region.

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

This conversation can also be viewed here:

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