Daily Briefing Mar. 30: Day 541 – Israel adds pressure on Hamas to advance ceasefire talks

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.

Diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today’s episode.

The Israeli military said Saturday evening it had extended its ground offensive in the southern Gaza Strip to expand a buffer zone along the borders of the Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced this morning that the security cabinet voted last night to increase pressure on Hamas. This comes as mediation efforts are stepping up. Berman explains where negotiations stand now — and why.

Last week, Gazans took to the streets in protest against the Hamas regime throughout the Gaza Strip. This morning, we learned that Hamas operatives kidnapped, tortured and executed a 22-year-old Palestinian man, Oday Nasser Al Rabay, who participated in last week’s wave of protests, according to his family. This comes as we learn of a June 2023 document from the Defense Ministry unit that oversees the Gaza Strip, which recommended a potential long-term truce (hudna) with Hamas. Berman delves into what this document says about Israel’s “conception” of Hamas capabilities.

Hundreds of thousands of anti-government demonstrators rallied in Istanbul Saturday, calling for democracy to be defended after the arrest of mayor Ekrem Imamoglu that sparked Turkey’s worst street unrest in over a decade. Berman examines the Israel-Turkey relationship — or lack thereof — since October 7, 2023.

Syria’s new transitional government was sworn in Saturday, nearly four months after the Assad family was removed from power and as the new authorities in Damascus work to bring back stability to the war-torn country. While the 23-member Cabinet is religiously and ethnically mixed, Israel sees itself as a defender of Syria’s minorities, says Berman.

This conversation can also be viewed here:

Please see today’s ongoing liveblog 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:

Israel confirms it received new Gaza truce proposal from mediators, made counteroffer

IDF expands ground op in southern Gaza, pushing further into Rafah

In disturbing Hamas video, distraught hostage Elkana Bohbot shouts and begs for release

Gazan man murdered by Hamas after joining protests against terror group, family says

Report: A June 2023 Defense Ministry document proposed near-sovereignty for Hamas in Gaza

Hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, gather at Istanbul rally to protest against Erdogan

Syria swears in new transitional government four months after ousting Assad

Check out yesterday’s Daily Briefing episode here: