Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleWelcome 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 correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Jessica Steinberg for today’s episode.
As Hamas leaders meet in Cairo with Egyptian intelligence officers to discuss the ceasefire, Berman says that the terrorist group wants to both limit Israel’s ability to strike and to deepen its own control over the 47% of the Gaza Strip it holds, which would help it be perceived as the territory’s inevitable ruler.
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Berman discusses his second visit to the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat, focusing on the American tone of the center and the civil governance and nation-building efforts underway at the site. He notes that the CMCC won’t be the body that will force Hamas to disarm, which will only happen through Israeli military pressure or diplomatic pressure from Arab mediators.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed core regional issues in an interview with Abu Ali Express, a popular local Telegram channel, notes Berman, including ruling out a Palestinian state, the possibility of normalization with Saudi Arabia, and continued talks with Turkey.
Check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Top Hamas team said in Cairo to discuss escalation in Gaza, transition to 2nd stage of Trump plan
Optimism abounds at Gaza coordination center, but violence puts truce at risk
As US dives into remaking Gaza, shades of nation-building come into focus
Netanyahu: ‘There will not be a Palestinian state,’ even at cost of ties with Saudis
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