Daily Briefing May 6: Day 578 – Israel strikes Yemen port in response to Houthis’ attacks

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.

Times of Israel founding editor David Horovitz joins host Jessica Steinberg for today’s episode.

Horovitz discusses the Israeli Air Force strike on the Hodeida port in Yemen in response to the Houthi missile that hit Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday morning, and the ongoing struggle over how to definitively handle the challenge presented by the Iran-backed Houthis.

He discusses the mood in the country as thousands of reservists are called up again to fight in Gaza, as polls show that two-thirds of Israelis would be prepared to stop fighting Hamas in order to bring the remaining hostages home. Horovitz notes that the language used by both the government and army is not clear with regard to the plans for future fighting in Gaza. That, along with an unpredictable US administration, he says, makes it hard to know how the imminent expanded IDF operation will unfold.

Horovitz also offers a brief look at the cabinet decision against establishing a state commission to probe October 7, even after the attorney general had recommended it. He notes the primary concern behind the imperative for a powerhouse state inquiry: to ensure that a disaster of this kind will never happen again. He also highlights the importance of the credibility and independence of Israel’s judiciary, in the wider context of Israel’s capacity to defend itself against international allegations relating to its conduct of the war.

Finally, Horovitz comments on remarks made by US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff at an Israel Independence Day event at the US Embassy in Washington, DC. The envoy’s clear message is that Israel needs to be united despite all the pressures within, because of the dangers that threaten Israel from without.

The conversation can also be viewed here:

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

For further reading:

20 Israeli fighter jets strike in Yemen after Houthi missile hits Ben Gurion Airport

Foreign airlines extend suspension of Israel flights day after Houthi missile hit airport

Cabinet rejects state probe of Oct. 7; said set to legislate ‘special’ commission instead

Witkoff urges Israelis to ‘choose unity over division’ on ‘bittersweet’ Independence Day

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 and video edited by Thomas Girsch.

Check out yesterday’s Daily Briefing episode here: