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 offers the latest on the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, with overnight reports of staffers killed and others feared taken captive by Hamas terrorists, as well as Gaza claims of some 25 Palestinians killed near one of the aid sites. Magid reviews the latest Hamas claims and GHF responses, discussing the confusion in this ongoing initiative.
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This conversation can be viewed in full here:
As the French and Saudis host a UN conference next week advancing a two-state solution, Magid says there is speculation whether France will use it as an opportunity to declare a Palestinian state, making it the most prominent country in the West to do so, while remaining an ally of Israel. Magid says there is still much indecision about the unilateral step, which could interfere with the ongoing hostage negotiations, and raises concerns about how Israel would react.
Talks with Iran continue, with US President Donald Trump publicly criticizing the Islamic Republic for not negotiating seriously. Magid looks at some of the steps being taken by the US to shield its personnel in the Middle East, possibly indicating that an attack on Iran is coming.
Following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent video statement about possible progress in hostage talks, which has been dismissed by some, Magid says that this week’s phone conversation between Trump and Netanyahu points to the US president’s belief that the war against Hamas in Gaza needs to end, despite the Israeli government’s interest in continuing to exert military pressure on Hamas in Gaza.
Check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Gaza aid group says Hamas killed at least 5 local staffers, possibly abducted others
Palestinians say 25 killed near Gaza aid site; IDF says troops fired at threats
MBS attendance at 2-state confab to signal that France will recognize Palestinian state
US slams UN conference on Israel-Palestinian issue, warns of consequences
US begins evacuating Mideast embassies, army bases as Iran nuclear talks come to a head
Trump said to have told Netanyahu to end Gaza war, attacking Iran off limits for now
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