Daily Briefing July 17: Day 650 – As Syria restores calm, will talks with Israel follow?

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 reviews the chaotic conflict that has unfolded in Syria over the last days between the Druze, the Bedouin and Syrian regime-linked troops, leading to Israeli military intervention. US pressure on Israel pushed forward a quick resolution on the situation, bringing forward a ceasefire, and Magid says Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa ultimately wants the various ethnic groups in Syria, including the Druze and Bedouin, to fall in line, particularly as Syria and Israel have been moving forward toward more cooperation.

As ultra-Orthodox party Shas left its ministerial positions in the government in protest over the failure to advance a law that enshrines the broad exemption of Haredim from IDF service, Magid discusses whether the Shas move could lead to early elections after the upcoming summer Knesset break.

A Gaza deal seems possible, says Magid, as Israel rolled back some of its demands on its withdrawal from Gaza, and mediators are currently more optimistic.

Check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Syrian gov’t forces begin withdrawing from Sweida as Israel vows to protect Druze

Rubio: ‘We think we’re on our way toward a real deescalation’ between Israel, Syria

Shas bolts government over Haredi enlistment, remains part of PM’s coalition

Official says Gaza deal ‘more likely than not,’ as Israel said to retract pullback demands

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Check out yesterday’s episode here: