ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 490

Daily Briefing Jan. 16: Day 468 – The complexities of making a deal with the devil

Editor David Horovitz outlines what we know about the ceasefire/hostage release/security prisoner release deal that was trumpeted by mediators last night

With:
  • Amanda Borschel-Dan
    Amanda Borschel-Dan

    Deputy Editor Amanda Borschel-Dan is the host of The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing and What Matters Now podcasts and heads up The Times of Israel’s Jewish World and Archaeology coverage.

  • David Horovitz
    David Horovitz

    David Horovitz is the founding editor of The Times of Israel. He is the author of “Still Life with Bombers” (2004) and “A Little Too Close to God” (2000), and co-author of “Shalom Friend: The Life and Legacy of Yitzhak Rabin” (1996). He previously edited The Jerusalem Post (2004-2011) and The Jerusalem Report (1998-2004).

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.

Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today’s episode.

Last night, the prime minister of Qatar as well as both US President Joe Biden and US President-elect Donald Trump announced that a deal had been reached. Hamas’s leadership quickly declared victory over Israel, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has continued to insist that the final deal has not been inked and some outstanding details remain. At recording time on Thursday noon, the deal was still not finalized. Horovitz describes what we understand are the main specifics of the agreement.

According to a recent Israel Democracy Institute survey, more than two-thirds of the public supports a deal for the release of all or some of the hostages. On the other hand, around a quarter support continuing the military pressure on Hamas, which they believe will lead to a more favorable deal for Israel in the future. Horovitz explains the stances of some of the right-wing protesters who demonstrated Wednesday night and are currently demonstrating at the Knesset against a deal.

We hear about the drama also taking place inside the Knesset as government members wrestle with their consciences to decide which way to cast their votes — and whether to bolt the coalition.

For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.

Discussed articles include:

Get them all home

After 15 months of war, Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire-hostage release deal

Biden: US-backed pressure on Iranian axis helped secure hostage deal, end of Gaza war

On a deadline: How Biden and Trump brokered hostage deal before ‘all hell’ broke loose

Hamas leader touts ceasefire as a defeat for Israel while hailing Oct. 7 atrocities

Right-wing groups, including bereaved families, protest pending hostage release deal

Hostage families on ‘roller coaster’ as they celebrate deal, worry for loved ones’ fate

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple PodcastsSpotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

Check out yesterday’s Daily Briefing episode here:

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