Podcast appearances and mentions of Israel Defense Forces

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. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. A new round of negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal between Hamas and Israel began in Qatar on Saturday after the Israeli military launched its new expanded offensive in the Gaza Strip, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots,” that will seek to “seize strategic areas” of the Hamas-run Strip. Fabian describes the slow rollout of the operation so far and how many more troops have entered Gaza as of Sunday morning. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis say they fired two ballistic missiles at Israel early Sunday morning. This comes after Israeli fighter jets carried out a wave of airstrikes in Yemen on Friday afternoon, targeting two Houthi-controlled ports in the west of the country, and threatened to kill the terror group’s leader. We discuss the growing realization that the terrorist group is undeterred by IAF strikes and whether Israel will take another tack soon. The Israel Defense Force said Saturday that it killed a Hezbollah commander in a drone strike in Lebanon. The operative, who was targeted on a road near Mazraat Jemjim — some 30 kilometers from the Israeli border — in the Tyre District, was the commander of Hezbollah’s forces in the Beaufort Castle area, the military said. Fabian updates us on who he was and what he was allegedly up to. To end the program, we discuss Israel's participation in last night's Eurovision final and Yuval Raphael's second-place finish. Israel's 2025 contestant, who survived the Nova festival massacre on October 7, 2023, won the popular vote, but was less warmly received by the jury. Fabian gives some reasons why. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: IDF launches major new Gaza op, ‘seizing’ key areas; Palestinians: Dozens killed in strikes Israel, Hamas say Gaza talks renewed after IDF initiates major new offensive IDF pounds Houthi ports in Yemen, threatens to kill leader, after missile, drone attacks IDF says it killed Hezbollah commander in drone strike in southern Lebanon Israel’s Yuval Raphael tops Eurovision public vote, finishes in 2nd place as Austria wins Israel’s Yuval Raphael feels she’s ‘won at life’ after coming second at Eurovision 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. IMAGE: A Palestinian boy looks at a house destroyed in Israeli strikes in al-Saftawi area west of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on May 18, 2025. (Bashar TALEB / AFP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, former Pentagon Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security and former Pentagon comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss Republicans on Capitol Hill publicly squabble about how deeply to cut Medicaid to cover tax cuts; US and Chinese negotiators strike a 90-day pause on the steepest tariffs; the ceasefire between India and Pakistan; days after floating the idea of accepting a $400 million 747 jet from Qatar as a future Air Force One, President Trump visited the Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE where he struck deals and met with Syria's new leader, lifted sanctions, and delivered a message to Iran; Russian premier Vladimir Putin skips planned meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul meeting that would have been the first direct talks between the leaders in years; Taiwan reports five instances of undersea cable damage this year, compared with three in past years; and Israel Defense Force leaders worry Gaza may be sliding rapidly toward an even bigger humanitarian disaster as air strikes resume.

Parashat Acharei Mot-K'doshim [Leviticus 16-20] is another double parashah. Acharei Mot is mostly known because it is read on Yom Kippur, chapter 16 about Yom Kippur in the morning, and chapter 18, traditionally, about the forbidden sexual relationships in the afternoon. K'doshim is perhaps best known for what Rabbi Aqiva recognized as the great principle of the Torah, v-ahavta l-rei'akha kamocha, you should love your neighbor as yourself [Lev. 19:18]. We took note that this verse is paired with a later one [19:34], which commands love of the resident alien in our midst as well. It is hard to pass up the rich text of Leviticus 19, the beginning of the Holiness Code, and so we discussed some of the laws that spoke to us. We also discussed at some length the difference between Leviticus 19 and Exodus 20, which share many of the same laws but cast them in different lights. The Ten Commandments are addressed to the individual who belongs to a nation; chapter 19 is an exercise in community formation. While there is never enough time to discuss all that we want, there is always next week, and next year! We continue to keep in mind the hostages you remain in Gaza, and pray fervently that they will be speedily returned to their families. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.

Parashat Emor [Leviticus 21:1-24:23] is perhaps best known for chapter 23, which describes the holidays and is the Torah reading on the 2nd day of Passover and the first 2 days of Sukkot. It is surrounded by laws related to the priesthood [including restrictions on contact with the dead and whom priests are permitted to marry] and a collection of laws which features one of the few narratives in Leviticus, the curious case of the blasphemer [24:10-22]. It is a spirited discussion; we hope you enjoy it! We are fortunate to take note of the release of Edan Alexander, and continue to pray and hope for the release of all the remaining captives in Gaza, both the dead and the living. We continue to keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.

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. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Released hostage Edan Alexander is back in his family's embrace in Israel and is recovering from his 584 days in Hamas captivity. We hear what we know so far about Alexander's health and the conditions in which he was kept. A few hours after the final living US-Israeli hostage was released by his Hamas captors, the IDF says that its forces carried out a “targeted attack” on “key” Hamas fighters who were operating a command center in the Nasser Hospital compound in Khan Younis. Among those reported killed is Palestinian journalist Hassan Eslaiah, who on October 7 was freelancing for the Associated Press and invaded Israel with the terrorists and photographed them entering Kibbutz Nir Oz, where dozens of civilians were massacred. Was he the target of the airstrike? Nour Bitawi, a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative who Israeli authorities say was planning imminent terror attacks, was killed by troops Friday in the West Bank city of Nablus. Fabian explains who Bitawi was and how significant this mission could be. The Mossad spy agency and the Israel Defense Forces recovered the remains of Sgt. First Class Zvi Feldman, who went missing in the First Lebanon War’s battle of Sultan Yacoub in 1982. The battle, nearly 43 years ago, claimed the lives of 21 Israeli servicemen, and more than 30 were injured during it. Feldman, a tank soldier, went missing during the battle along with Sgt. First Class Yehuda Katz and Sgt. First Class Zachary Baumel. Baumel’s remains were recovered and returned to Israel in 2019.Fabian describes how the body of Feldman was recently recovered from “the heart of Syria” in a special operation. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander freed from Hamas captivity, reunites with family IDF says it razed major tunnel in Rafah after Hamas operatives provided location IDF says terrorists near defeat in Rafah, fighting now limited to one neighborhood IDF says ‘most wanted West Bank terror operative’ killed in Nablus operation Body of soldier Zvi Feldman, missing for 43 years, recovered from Syria by Mossad, IDF 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. IMAGE: Released hostage soldier Staff Sgt. Edan Alexander, center, arrives at an IDF base near Re'im, May 12, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For review:1. Ukraine Agrees to Direct Talks with Russia in Istanbul. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he would agree to meet Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Turkey on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump told him immediately to accept Putin's proposal of direct talks.2.  India & Pakistan Ceasefire. India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire Saturday after US-led talks to end the most serious military confrontation between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades, but they accused each other of violating the deal just hours later.3. The Indian Navy massed naval forces in the Northern Arabian Sea and sent a carrier battle group, surface combatants, submarines and naval aviation to keep their Pakistani adversaries in a “defensive position,” Indian officials said this week. 4. President Trump Heads to Middle East Region, 13-16 May. US President Donald Trump's meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday is also set to include Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Syria's de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, Arabic media reported Sunday.5. Iran and the United States wrapped up nuclear talks in Oman on Sunday with no apparent breakthrough and a public standoff over enrichment, but with both sides confirming plans for future negotiations.6. The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday evening issued an “urgent” evacuation warning to the three Houthi-controlled ports in western Yemen, ahead of potential Israeli strikes.7. Defense News (Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo) Interview with Lithuania Minister of National Defense- Dovilė Šakalienė. 8.  Armor Not Dead: Australia Activates New Tank Squadron. The formal establishment of D Squadron within the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2 CAV) is a significant milestone for the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, representing the first time in the Corps' history that a regiment has two tank and cavalry squadrons positioned in the same location.

Tazria-Metzora [Leviticus 12-15] is the first in a series of doubled parashiyot in the Book of Leviticus. With its emphasis on afflictions of the body, some caused by disease and some caused by natural processes, it has been a test for those seeking to find homiletical material connected to the text. It has been well said that doubling up makes the task easier in that there is only one difficult week, rather than two. Nevertheless, the parashiyot do raise some fascinating questions for the modern mind. Can we envision a priestly Judaism in 2025? Should we place as much emphasis on the body as a tool for religious expresssion as our ancestors apparently did? What might we learn from the biblical example where the issue of tumah and taharah [impurity and purity] with respect to tzara'at [often translated, mistakenly, as leprosy] is decided by the priest rather than the disease itself? And finally, the bayit ha-menuga, the house afflicted by leprosy, is one of 3 cases [the other two being the stubborn and rebellious son (Deuteronomy 21:18-21) and the city given over to idol worship (Deuteronomy 13:13-19], where one sage said the case never happened and another said he had personal witness. What do we make of two thoroughly incompatible opinions on the same page of the Talmud? Since this is the week, too, of Yom Ha-zikkaron [Israel's Memorial Day] and Yom Ha-atzma'ut [Israel's Independence Day], we discussed these as well [we recorded Sunday night, 4/27/2025]. We feel even more keenly the plight of the hostages who remain in Gaza, and pray even more fervently for their speedy release and for the safety of all those who defend Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces. Shabbat Shalom.

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 and environment reporter Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Earlier this morning, a Houthi ballistic missile struck inside the area of Ben Gurion Airport after the Israel Defense Forces failed to intercept it. Landings and takeoffs were halted before the projectile struck. Magen David Adom says six people were physically hurt in the Houthi missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport. Berman explains how the biggest blow may have been to Israel's reputation. Two IDF soldiers -- Cpt. Noam Ravid, 23 from Sha’arei Tikva and Staff Sgt. Yaly Seror, 20, from Omer -- were killed and two were wounded in an explosion in a booby-trapped tunnel shaft in southern Gaza’s Rafah Saturday, the military announced. This terrible announcement comes after we heard last night that the military will resume mass call-ups of reserves for more intensive operations in Gaza. Berman weighs in on whether Israel is gearing up for "the" big operation in Gaza, or whether that will be on hold until after US President Donald Trump's visit to the region. The Israel Defense Forces said its fighter jets had carried out a wave of airstrikes in Syria late Friday, less than a day after Israel attacked near the presidential palace in Damascus, amid Israeli warnings to Syria’s new Islamist rulers not to harm their country’s Druze minority following deadly sectarian clashes. Also, on Saturday, the IDF said troops were “deployed to southern Syria and prepared to prevent hostile forces from entering the area and Druze villages.” This comes as an Israeli Air Force helicopter ferried humanitarian aid to the Sweida area of southern Syria and retrieved wounded Druze. Berman gives insight into Israel's activities. The Fire and Rescue Service said Thursday evening that firefighters had gained control of the conflagrations that had ravaged the Jerusalem hills for close to 30 hours. The announcement came hours after roads and train lines were reopened and evacuees from the area were permitted to return to their homes. Surkes describes the factors that led to this massive outbreak and why lessons definitely have yet to be learned. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Houthi missile hits grounds of Ben Gurion Airport after interception fails; 6 injured Two IDF soldiers killed, two wounded in blast in booby-trapped Rafah tunnel IDF calls up tens of thousands of reservists ahead of expanded Gaza offensive IDF strikes military targets across Syria, says troops deployed to protect Druze PM: Qatar ‘playing both sides’; Doha: He’s trying to justify crimes against civilians Israeli chopper ferried aid to Druze in southern Syria, 70 km from border — source Government accused of failing to take fire threat seriously despite years of warnings 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. IMAGE: Israeli security forces at the site where a missile fired from Yemen hit an area of Ben Gurion Airport, May 4, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FIDF Chief Executive Officer Steve Weil welcomes Dr. Lucian Tatsa-Laur,  former Head of the Mental Health Department in the Israel Defense Forces and current Head of the new Trauma Rehabilitation Center at Assuta Ashdod Public Hospital, to discuss his groundbreaking work in the field of PTSD and mental health treatment for combat soldiers. Dr. Laur described his experience on October 7th, learning about the attack while on the phone with a wife of one of his patients who was outside of the house fighting terrorists at the time. Dr. Laur explains how the trauma of October 7th erupted the IDF's identity as a small but shrewd and near indestructible defense force, shifting their self-perception from competent to failure. Dr. Laur's mission was to reverse this collective psychological blow, and the IDF officers, he recounts, were very welcoming and open to this type of work. So did the Israeli public, who were accustomed to wars taking place within the enemy's borders, not within Israel's borders. Given the collective trauma of Israel's combat soldiers and citizenry, Dr. Laur's research is highly sought out by the US defense department. Donate NOW at FIDF.org for the fastest and most direct way to give IDF Soldiers what they need most. 100% of your contribution will go to meet their emergency humanitarian needs.

For review:1. Update on Israel wildfires.2.  Israel Strikes Damascus in Message to Syrian Regime.  Israel conducted airstrikes early on Friday near Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa's official residential compound in Damascus in response to violence in Syria against the country's Druze minority, the Israel Defense Forces said. 3. Lebanon has warned Hamas not to conduct operations that compromise the country's security or sovereignty, Beirut's Supreme Defense Council said on Friday. 4. Reuters article via Times of Israel concerning US/Iran Nuclear negotiations.In three weeks, the US and Iran have held three rounds of talks aimed at preventing Tehran from building a nuclear weapon in return for sanctions relief. A fourth round is expected to take place in Rome soon. 5. US State Department to Ukraine & Russia: US Will Not Be Mediators If Progress Not Made.  US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters Thursday that Kyiv and Moscow need to engage directly with each other and that the US will no longer “fly around the world at the drop of a hat to mediate meetings.”  US Secretary of State Rubio, said that unless a “real breakthrough” is made soon, President Trump “is going to have to make a decision about how much more time we're going to dedicate to this.” 6. UK RAF Collaborative Drone Effort.  The first autonomous collaborative platform (ACP) drone, labelled StormShroud, entered into service into the UK Royal Air Force.  The new StormShroud aircraft combines the UK-Portuguese Tekever 3 tactical uncrewed aerial system (UAS) with Leonardo UK's BriteStorm stand-in jammer, effectively transforming it into an ACP, to work in tandem with RAF fighter jets. 7. USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Effort. USAF announced it has selected Beale Air Force Base in California to host the service's first “Aircraft Readiness Unit” dedicated to its future fleet of drone wingmen. General Atomics and Anduril are facing off for the Air Force program after their selection last year. USAF expects to field CCA by 2030.8.  Acting Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Kilby to USMC: We owe you a three-ship ARG [Amphibious Ready Group]. I owe you a three-ship ARG that's ready to embark Marines and conduct the training cycle and deploy on schedule. I do not meet that requirement.”  The Amphibious Ready Group is the USMC three-ship formation generally consisting of an assault ship (LHA), a transport dock (LPD) and a support vessel (LSD). USMC goal is to maintain what's known as a 3.0 presence: That means one ARG deployed from the East Coast to the Mediterranean or coast of Africa; one from the West Coast to the Pacific and a third “episodically” deployed forward from Japan.

DISCLAIMER: We graciously welcome guests and organizations who may have shared opposing viewpoints on a variety of topics, so as to not perpetuate an echo chamber environment. We recognize we will not align on every topic with every guest we invite. Bruchim does not endorse other stances and philosophies we have shared in various episodes of our podcast. We encourage respectful discourse, and we are grateful for the opportunity to have interviewed Eli.In part two of our Circumcision series, we are joined by a Jewish man! Rarely do we ever have a man on our podcast, but because this is a practice performed on men— and often times, Jewish men— we needed to hear Eli's takes directly from the source.Eli Ungar-Sargon is the Founding Executive Board member of the non-profit, Bruchim, and host of the Bruchim podcast. Eli grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family in Brookline, MA. At the age of 13, he and his family moved to Israel, where he later decided not to serve in the Israel Defense Forces. Instead, he chose to study medicine in the UK. Three years into his medical degree, Eliyahu shifted his focus to filmmaking. After earning two degrees from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he completed his first feature-length documentary, Cut: Slicing Through the Myths of Circumcision.Bruchim's mission is to advocate for non-circumcising Jews in Jewish life, and to educate about the rich diversity of Jewish perspectives on circumcision and its alternatives.We discuss:What was the pivotal moment that shaped Eli's opinion about circumcision?Can you still be considered Jewish if you are not circumcised?What's the alternative to a bris?How do Eli's personal views about circumcision compare to Bruchim's views as an organization?Is there a positive trend of Jewish families globally opting out of circumcision?How to be critical of circumcision without entering antisemitic territory?What are common antisemitic tropes about circumcision?How do you have tough conversations with other members of the tribe about circumcision?Check out Bruchim's resources hereListen to the Bruchim podcast hereWatch Eli's documentary hereUniversity Lecture on Circumcision led by Ryan McCallister, PhDSupport the showJOIN OUR NEW, PRIVATE COMMUNITY! DONATE (Thank you!!

Dr. Einat Wilf is a leading thinker on Israel, Zionism, foreign policy and education. She was a member of the Israeli Parliament from 2010 to 2013, where she served as Chair of the Education Committee and Member of the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Born and raised in Israel, Dr. Wilf served as an Intelligence Officer in the Israel Defense Forces, Foreign Policy Advisor to Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres and a strategic consultant with McKinsey & Company. Dr. Wilf has a BA from Harvard, an MBA from INSEAD in France, and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Cambridge and is the author of seven books that explore key issues in Israeli society.

Dr. Einat Wilf is a leading thinker on Israel, Zionism, foreign policy and education. She was a member of the Israeli Parliament from 2010 to 2013, where she served as Chair of the Education Committee and Member of the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Born and raised in Israel, Dr. Wilf served as an Intelligence Officer in the Israel Defense Forces, Foreign Policy Advisor to Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres and a strategic consultant with McKinsey & Company. Dr. Wilf has a BA from Harvard, an MBA from INSEAD in France, and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Cambridge and is the author of seven books that explore key issues in Israeli society.

It will be a very different kind of Yom ha-Zikaron in Israel for the family of Ben Brown. In July 2024, a Hezbollah rocket injured the 20-year-old from Thornhill, Ont., while he was on duty with the Israel Defense Forces' Golani army unit at a strategic base overlooking the Lebanese border. No one else was hurt, or killed. Now, as the Jewish State remembers more than 25,000 soldiers and also victims of terrorism who've fallen throughout Israel's history, Brown's family is commemorating in their own way—on the ground in Israel, where there son is still in hospital. Brown has spent months receiving treatment, after being in a coma, with a traumatic brain injury. The former yeshiva student is out of danger now, but he still receives hours of daily therapy. His family and friends keep a constant vigil, as he cannot yet speak properly for long, or walk distances unassisted. Despite a controversial progressive media website publicly listing Ben Brown among 85 Canadians who've served in the IDF over the years, Brown's family says they're not focusing on the unwanted negative attention. Instead, the family is marking Israel's Memorial Day together in Israel, and plan to attend local events—including the 77th anniversary of Israel's independence the following day. They want Canadians back home to understand why their son felt he had to defend the Jewish State—especially after Oct. 7. On today's The CJN Daily, Ben Brown's father, Jeffrey Brown, joins from Israel to explain. Related links Read more about Ben Brown's injury after Oct. 7, in The CJN. Hear how the Jewish community in Toronto came together to support Ben Brown's family through prayer, on The CJN Daily. Why those Canadians who served in the IDF and were on a new list published by an anti-Israel paper are fighting mad, in The CJN. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Andrea Varsany (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer), Marc Weisblott (editorial director) Music: Dov Beck-Levine Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to The CJN Daily (Not sure how? Click here)

Israel has long been a leader in hi-tech warfare. In this episode, the Financial Times innovation editor John Thornhill explores the Israel Defense Forces' use of artificial intelligence targeting aids as part of its arsenal in the war against Hamas. Can AI reduce civilian casualties and prevent breaches of international humanitarian law or has the technology served only to accelerate the loss of life? And what can Israel's defence tech ecosystem tell us about the future of warfare?We hear from Nadim Nashif, executive director of the Palestinian digital rights group 7amleh, Tal Mimran, an Adjunct Lecturer at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hamutal Meridor, co-founder of Israeli defence tech start-up Kela, and Elke Schwarz, professor at Queen Mary University of London.Free to read from FT.com:‘This is what victory looks like': inside Israel's aggressive new security planDeepMind UK staff seek to unionise and challenge defence deals and Israel linksIsrael pledges to protect tech start-ups from effects of Hamas warTech Tonic is presented by John Thornhill. The producers are Josh Gabert-Doyon and Persis Love. The senior producer is Edwin Lane and the executive producers are Manuela Saragosa and Topher Forhecz. Sound design by Breen Turner and Samantha Giovinco. Original music by Metaphor Music. The FT's head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I think in interim period Israel will apply a military occupation of it and rule Gaza to make sure that Hamas is indeed defeated, that there is no pockets of resistance and terrorism and guerrilla, etc.,” Conricus, the former International spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, told The Daily Signal at the Jewish News Syndicate International Policy Summit in Jerusalem. Once Hamas and its sympathizers are completely defeated in Gaza, “Israel will move out and then it will transition,” Conricus, who is also a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said. “It has to transition to local self-governance by Palestinians, not by Hamas, and not by corrupt Palestinian authority officials, but by local, vetted, non-terror-aligned Palestinians that have local standing in Gaza and that show that their trajectory, what they value, is the present and the future and that they want to build a different Gaza.” This plan will require patience, according to the former IDF spokesman, adding, “I don't think that we have any other options.” Conricus estimates it will take about five years to see positive change in Gaza, providing a “good plan” is in place with proper funding. “To think that this is a quick fix that can be done quickly would be naïve and misleading. That is not the situation,” he said. “There is a very bad situation that has been going on for many years and as such it will take many years to undo.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I think in interim period Israel will apply a military occupation of it and rule Gaza to make sure that Hamas is indeed defeated, that there is no pockets of resistance and terrorism and guerrilla, etc.,” Conricus, the former International spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, told The Daily Signal at the Jewish News Syndicate […]

Recorded on Yom Hashoa, Yaakov Lappin and I discuss the significance of this solemn day, the clear Jew-Hatred exhibited by too many new-media "influencers" and the status of the IDF's operations inside the Gaza Strip, before assessing the implications of the Trump administration's outreach to Iran and whether or not all involved in those negotiations would do well to stop courting the press. Support the showThe MirYam Institute. Israel's Future in Israel's Hands.Subscribe to our podcast: https://podfollow.com/1493910771Follow The MirYam Institute X: https://bit.ly/3jkeUyxFollow Benjamin Anthony X: https://bit.ly/3hZeOe9Like Benjamin Anthony Facebook: https://bit.ly/333Ct93Like The MirYam Institute Facebook: https://bit.ly/2SarHI3Follow Benjamin Anthony Instagram: https://bit.ly/30m6uPGFollow The MirYam Institute Instagram: https://bit.ly/3l5fvED

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. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Yesterday, the Israel Defense Forces announced the dismissal of the deputy commander of the Golani Brigade’s reconnaissance unit over the March 23 incident in which 15 medics were killed after his forces opened fire on a convoy of ambulances and emergency vehicles in southern Gaza’s Rafah. Fabian explains the findings of a high-level IDF probe. The Lebanese army announced Sunday that it had foiled a planned rocket attack from Lebanon at Israel for the first time since a November ceasefire cut short a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. We learn about what steps the Lebanese Armed Forces are currently taking to fulfill the terms of the ceasefire. On Saturday, for the first time since the IDF resumed its offensive against Hamas in the Strip on March 18, a soldier was killed inside the Strip. The deadly incident took place during work to clear the area close to the border of Hamas infrastructure, including tunnels, as part of efforts to expand Israel’s buffer zone — which now comprises over 30 percent of the Strip. Fabian discusses the IDF's recent activities ahead of his IDF embed to the Morag Corridor today. We learn about the IDF's Bedouin tracker units and hear about an attempt from several Israeli civilians to enter the Gaza Strip on Sunday. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing live blog for more updates. For further reading: Admitting ‘errors,’ IDF fires officer over killing of 15 rescue workers in Gaza’s Rafah In first since ceasefire, Lebanese army says it foiled rocket attack on Israel Israeli soldier killed in Hamas attack, in first since collapse of Gaza ceasefire 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. IMAGE: Mourners gather around the bodies of 8 Red Crescent emergency responders, recovered in Rafah a week after an Israeli attack, as they are transported for burial from a hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana,File) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Als Antwort auf den brutalen Überfall der Hamas führt Israel Krieg in Gaza. Die Art der Kriegführung kommt international zunehmend in die Kritik – und auch in Israel selbst verweigern immer mehr Reservisten den Einsatz.

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. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Yesterday, the family of Edan Alexander approved the publication of a Hamas propaganda video released Saturday, which showed signs of life from the US-Israeli hostage soldier who has been held by the terror group since he was kidnapped on October 7, 2023. Born in Tel Aviv, Alexander grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey. He returned to Israel to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces after graduating from high school in 2022. Fabian fills us in and we hear a segment of the video. This morning, we learned that over 1,600 former IDF paratroopers and infantry soldiers signed a letter demanding the government reach a deal to bring the hostages home, even if it means ending the war. We discuss this latest appeal, which adds to a growing wave of public pressure to end the ongoing war following similar letters from IDF reservist doctors, the Talpiot program, former 8200 intelligence unit members, ex-Mossad members, navy reservists, and reservist air force personnel. We focus on the air force letter, which has brought the most media attention, and hear what steps -- if any -- the IDF is taking to stem this tide. The Israel Defense Forces announced at noon Saturday that it had completed the capture of the Morag Corridor in the southern Gaza Strip, cutting off the city of Rafah from Khan Younis. Fabian explains how this is part of a greater plan to widen the new border buffer zone. Yesterday, the Israeli military carried out an airstrike on a hospital in Gaza City, after telling staff and patients to evacuate ahead of the overnight attack, one of a series of strikes that Israel said were targeting Hamas operational centers. No casualties were reported in the hospital strike, with Israel issuing a warning to evacuate the facility before the attack. We learn where civilians are meant to go during such airstrikes, and in general. Air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile fired at Israel by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen early on Sunday evening. The Houthis claimed to have fired two missiles in the attack, one targeting the Sdot Micha Airbase — where, according to foreign reports, Israel holds nuclear-capable Jericho missiles — and the other aimed at Ben Gurion Airport. Fabian weighs in. On Friday, the IDF confirmed that it participated in a just-completed annual aerial exercise hosted by Greece, which this year included the participation of Qatar -- along with 11 other countries. We ask Fabian how significant this joint exercise is. Please check out The Times of Israel's ongoing live blog for more updates. For further reading: ‘Why am I not home?’ Edan Alexander’s family okays publication of Hamas propaganda video Over 250 ex-Mossad members, 3 former chiefs urge hostage deal even if it ends war IAF to dismiss reservists who signed letter demanding prioritization of hostages over war IDF says it hit a Hamas command center embedded in Gaza City hospital IDF fully surrounds Rafah as Katz warns Gazans of ‘final moment to remove Hamas’ IDF says Houthi missile intercepted; shrapnel falls in West Bank In first, Israeli Air Force participates with Qatar in aerial exercises hosted by Greece 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. IMAGE: Troops of the Givati Brigade operate in Gaza, in a handout photo issued on April 9, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the show, we focus on the Supreme Court's deliberations over whether or not the Prime Minister can dismiss the Head of the Shin-Bet, the IDF's maneuvers inside the Gaza Strip, the possibility of Hezbollah disarming and, finally, what are the main takeaways from Bibi's visit to the White House. Support the showThe MirYam Institute. Israel's Future in Israel's Hands.Subscribe to our podcast: https://podfollow.com/1493910771Follow The MirYam Institute X: https://bit.ly/3jkeUyxFollow Benjamin Anthony X: https://bit.ly/3hZeOe9Like Benjamin Anthony Facebook: https://bit.ly/333Ct93Like The MirYam Institute Facebook: https://bit.ly/2SarHI3Follow Benjamin Anthony Instagram: https://bit.ly/30m6uPGFollow The MirYam Institute Instagram: https://bit.ly/3l5fvED

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. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. The Saudi Al-Hadath channel reports that the US has transferred a second THAAD battery to Israel amid rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. The battery was apparently delivered yesterday.We hear what the THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, is an advanced anti-missile system, has recently been used for. Yesterday, Hamas released a propaganda video that shows hostages Bar Kupershtein and Maxim Herkin, in the first sign of life from both of them since they were abducted by terrorists on October 7, 2023. We hear the broad-strokes contents of the video. The IDF has detailed the initial findings from its investigation into the killing of 14 rescue workers in southern Gaza’s Rafah on March 23, when soldiers opened fire on a convoy of ambulances after mistakenly identifying it as a threat and buried their bodies. Fabian explains the findings, and highlights still unanswered questions. The IDF released footage from the entry of the 36th Division into the so-called Morag Corridor, located between southern Gaza’s Rafah and Khan Younis, last week. It marks the first time since the beginning of the war that ground troops are operating in the area. On Thursday, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin told reporters that the IDF has entered a “new phase” in its fighting. What is this new phase that Defrin is referring to? Hassan Farhat, who had headed Hamas’s forces in the western sector of Lebanon, was killed in an airstrike on an apartment building in Sidon. Likewise, the IDF and Shin Bet on Friday said a terror operative who oversaw the kidnapping and likely was also involved in the murder of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, was killed in an airstrike in Gaza. We learn about these two Hamas terrorists and Fabian connects the Sidon strike to an earlier strike on a Hezbollah operative in Beirut. Please see today's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: US said to transfer 2nd THAAD missile battery to Israel as Iran nuclear tensions rise Hamas hostage video shows Maxim Herkin and Bar Kupershtein, in first signs of life IDF shares initial details from Gaza ambulance probe, says troops told UN of burial site Gazans flee expanding strikes in north, south as IDF says fighting entering ‘new stage’ Hamas says it won’t move hostages to safety, Israel responsible for their lives IDF widens ground operation in northern Gaza, kills top Hamas official in Lebanon IDF says it killed terrorist who led Bibas abduction, was likely involved in their murders 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. IMAGE: Bodies of Palestinian first responders who were killed March 23, 2025, in Israeli military fire on ambulances lie at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on March 30, 2025. (AFP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textIn Part 2 of our conversation with John Spencer, we dive into the brutal complexities of Israel's war against Hamas, the impossible choices Israel faces, and the international double standards being applied. Topics include:Legal Reality vs. Moral Expectations: Is Israel legally obligated to provide aid to Gaza while Hamas controls it?The Dilemma of Hostages: Can military pressure force Hamas to release them, or does negotiation only drive the price up?Hamas' Human Shield Strategy: How the terror group weaponizes civilians to manipulate international law.Lessons for the West: What democratic nations must learn from Israel's military innovations and experience in urban warfare.The Broader Conflict: The Iranian-backed Houthi threat and the broader implications of Israel's war for the free world.

2510 - Walking the streets of Tel Aviv, the Bearded Bible Brothers witness how God keeps His promise to bring the Jewish people home. Out of the horrors of the Holocaust, prophecy was fulfilled and Israel was reborn. Joshua and Caleb look at the origins of early Jewish settlers who saw first-hand the desert blooming like a rose! Joshua and Caleb take part in Israel's Memorial Day, Yom HaZikaron, at the T'kuma Burnt Car Memorial with the Israel Defense Forces.

Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.This episode is sponsored by an anonymous friend who supports our mission.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Yehuda, Bayla, Elisha, and Avi Samter—members of a family that made aliyah from the comfortable Five Towns life a decade ago—about the divergence between Jewish life in America and in Israel. Whether one serves in the IDF has become a major realm of bifurcation within the Jewish People, and it's a gap that we often fail to bridge even within our own social circles. In this episode we discuss:How does making aliyah and entering the army change prior friendships? Why should every Jew imagine the possibility of living an elevated life defending the Jewish People in the Land of Israel? What differentiates Five Towns Judaism from spirituality in the Land of Israel? Tune in to hear a conversation about unifying “both sides” of the Jewish People. Interview begins at 8:02. The Samter family made Aliyah from America and now have two sons serving in the Israel Defense Forces, fighting in the wars over the last 16 months in Gaza and Lebanon.References:Survivor IsraelFor more 18Forty:NEWSLETTER: 18forty.org/joinCALL: (212) 582-1840EMAIL: info@18forty.orgWEBSITE: 18forty.orgIG: @18fortyX: @18_fortyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

For review:1. US President Trump threatens Iran with bombing and tariffs over nuclear program. If they (Iran) don't make a deal, there will be bombing,” President Trump said in a telephone interview. “It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.”2. In response to US President Trump's threat of bombing and tariffs, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday the US would receive a strong blow if it acts on President Donald Trump's threat to bomb unless Tehran reaches a new nuclear deal with Washington.3. IDF Prepares Return to Rafah. The Israel Defense Forces issued an evacuation warning on Monday for Palestinians in the entire Rafah area in the southern Gaza Strip, saying the military was “returning to fight with great force to eliminate the capabilities of terror organizations in these areas.”4. President Trump reportedly "disappointed" in President Putin but thinks the peace negotiations "are making progress, step by step."5. Russia Launches Submarine Armed with Hypersonic Zircon Missile. The Zircon has a reported range of 500 to 1,000 kilometers, depending on its trajectory.It can fly at Mach 8, making it nearly impossible to intercept with current air defense systems, according to the US-based Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA).6. Egypt in Talks for S. Korea's FA-50 Light Attack Aircraft. Egypt's Ambassador to Seoul, stated that discussions between the two countries are progressing positively after months of negotiations for an initial order of 36 aircraft.7. US Army Contracts LM for Precision Strike Missiles. With an operational range exceeding 499 kilometers (310 miles), a PrSM launch pod is capable of carrying and firing two missiles.8. The Army's Lower-Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor ready for low-rate production. 

Send us a textDive into an in‑depth conversation with John Spencer as he delivers an inside look at Israel's government communication strategy and its evolving approach to urban warfare. In this episode of Israel: State of a Nation, John—chair of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point and a renowned military analyst—breaks down the shifting battlefield dynamics, the double standards of international law, and the challenging questions about hostages, ceasefires, and the future of Gaza.Key Topics Discussed: • How Hamas' tactics and the “moral trap” shape modern urban warfare • The political stakes and international pressures influencing Israel's strategy • The role of advanced IDF tactics—including tanks, drones, and infantry innovations—in fighting an enemy entrenched in tunnels • The hostage crisis, failed ceasefire negotiations, and the dilemma of international aid • Lessons from historical battles and how they inform today's conflictIf you're looking to understand the complex interplay between military strategy, international law, and government messaging during wartime, this episode is a must‑listen.0:00 - Introduction: The War Israel Must Win5:06 - Hamas's Strategy: Sacrificing Civilians for Victory14:05 - The Double Standard: Why Israel Can't Win By Playing By the Rules27:51 - Occupation or Anarchy: Israel's Impossible Choice34:38 - Israel's Approach to Fighting in Unimaginable TerrainCo-Creator and Host - Eylon LevyCo-Creator - Guy RossExecutive Producer - Asher Westropp-EvansDirector/Editor - Benny GoldmanStudio Manager - Lotem SegevGraphics - Thomas GirschLine Producer - Tal SegalIntern - Jesse SklarInside GenevaInside Geneva is a podcast about global politics, humanitarian issues, & international aidListen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showStay up to date at:X: https://twitter.com/stateofapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/state-of-a-nation

Increasingly brazen armed gangs are taking control of most of the roads leading into and out of Port-au-Prince, as control slips away from Haitian police and Kenyan-led multinational forces. Also, a court in Tokyo has ordered the once-powerful Unification Church in Japan to be dissolved in a case against the religious group that goes back to the 2022 assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. And, the beating and arrest of Hamdan Ballal, the Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning film “No Other Land” highlights the blurred lines between Israeli settlers and the Israel Defense Forces. Plus, Chile's Indigenous Mapuche people use an ancestral sport to help protect and revive their culture, customs and language.Listen to today's Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This episode of the podcast features my conversation with none other than John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point, in front of a live Atlanta audience. Our organization recently hosted a series of MirYam Institute campus presentations featuring John as the keynote speaker. That campus tour included lectures at Columbia Law School, The Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts. John's initial comments were followed by audience questions from the pro., the anti and the undecided elements of the graduate student community.  That lecture series culminated with a presentation to the Atlanta Jewish community and it's that conversation that I'm pleased to share with you here. So with that, enjoy!Don't forget that you can catch nearly all of this audio content in video format on The MirYam Institute's YouTube channel, so if you'd like to ensure that you never miss any of our programming, go ahead and subscribe to that channel as well via the link below. https://www.youtube.com/@TheMirYamInstituteSupport the showThe MirYam Institute. Israel's Future in Israel's Hands.Subscribe to our podcast: https://podfollow.com/1493910771Follow The MirYam Institute X: https://bit.ly/3jkeUyxFollow Benjamin Anthony X: https://bit.ly/3hZeOe9Like Benjamin Anthony Facebook: https://bit.ly/333Ct93Like The MirYam Institute Facebook: https://bit.ly/2SarHI3Follow Benjamin Anthony Instagram: https://bit.ly/30m6uPGFollow The MirYam Institute Instagram: https://bit.ly/3l5fvED

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. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's Daily Briefing. This morning, the Israeli military said it has deployed troops along the coast of the far north of the Gaza Strip, as well as in the Netzarim Corridor and in the southern Gaza Strip. We discuss the ongoing airstrikes -- and how targets are chosen -- and the potential goals of the increased ground operation so far. Yemen’s Houthi rebels issued a statement claiming responsibility for the ballistic missile fired at Israel overnight, saying the Palestine-2 projectile targeted Ben Gurion Airport. Earlier, on Tuesday evening, the Houthis also launched a ballistic missile at Israel from Yemen Tuesday evening, which marked the first attack from the Iran-backed group since the ceasefire came into effect in the Gaza Strip two months ago. What were the results of both missiles? On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces presented its probe into the battle at Kibbutz Alumim — the latest in its detailed investigations of some 40 battles that took place during Hamas’s October 7 attack, when some 5,600 terrorists stormed across the border, massacred some 1,200 people, and took 251 hostages to Gaza. In the second half of our program, we go in depth into the Alumim probe and address the IDF's devastating probe of Kibbutz Nir Oz, which was released last week. Please see today's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: IDF ground forces operating in Gaza; Katz warns of ‘total destruction’ unless hostages returned IDF downs Houthi missile as sirens send millions in central Israel to shelters at 4 a.m. Civil defense team stopped major Hamas invasion at Alumim, but dozens were murdered outside ‘Massive failure’: First troops reached Kibbutz Nir Oz 40 minutes after last terrorists left 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. IMAGE: IDF troops of the 252nd Division operate in northern Gaza, in a handout photo issued by the military on March 20, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The IDF is ramping up its offensive inside the Gaza Strip against Hamas. Leaders of the terror organization are being steadily eliminated and the vaunted Golani Brigade is massing along Israel's border with the Strip. Gazans are fleeing southward as Israel's tanks maneuver along parts of the Netzarim corridor.  Israel's Minister of Defense has called for the return of all our hostages and the expulsion of Hamas. Prime Minister Netanyahu has announced that all future negotiations will be carried out "under fire."  In this episode of the show, together with my colleague Yaakov Lappin, I break down what you need to know about the current state of Israel's return to major combat operations inside the Gaza Strip. Support the showThe MirYam Institute. Israel's Future in Israel's Hands.Subscribe to our podcast: https://podfollow.com/1493910771Follow The MirYam Institute X: https://bit.ly/3jkeUyxFollow Benjamin Anthony X: https://bit.ly/3hZeOe9Like Benjamin Anthony Facebook: https://bit.ly/333Ct93Like The MirYam Institute Facebook: https://bit.ly/2SarHI3Follow Benjamin Anthony Instagram: https://bit.ly/30m6uPGFollow The MirYam Institute Instagram: https://bit.ly/3l5fvED

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with The Times of Israel editor David Horovitz. Recording at noon in ToI's Jerusalem office ahead of a planned fateful cabinet vote on the firing of Shin Bet head Ronen Bar tonight, Horovitz attempts to summarize this fraught Israeli moment. As the Israel Defense Forces troops are again entering the Gaza Strip for ground operations, fears of a crumbling Israeli democracy are bringing thousands to the streets, alongside others who reject the notion of a renewed war in Gaza without a hostage deal first. Horovitz takes us through a litany of issues fueling the domestic strife and assesses how Israel again finds itself at a crossroads. "All of us want Israel to survive and to thrive and we have two things simultaneously: We have terrible threats from without and we have tremendous division from within," says Horovitz. "This is extremely dangerous for Israel." And so this week, we ask ToI editor David Horovitz, what matters now? What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Israelis march in a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his plans to dismiss the head of the Shin Bet internal security service, in Jerusalem on March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:   First, the ceasefire in Gaza collapsed Tuesday morning, as the Israel Defense Forces launched dozens of strikes throughout Gaza targeting Hamas leadership.  Later in the show, Lebanese and Syrian defense officials have agreed to a ceasefire following two days of deadly clashes along their borders. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Daily Briefing. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas collapsed early this morning after roughly two months, as the Israel Defense Forces launched dozens of strikes throughout Gaza and issued evacuation orders for parts of the Strip. We work through what brought Israel to the renewal of more intensive fighting. Yesterday, US President Donald Trump declared he would hold Iran directly responsible for any future attacks by Yemen’s Tehran-backed Houthi rebels, who recently claimed to have targeted a US aircraft carrier and other foreign ships in the Red Sea. Berman weighs in on this new approach by the Trump administration, which has widely vowed to "end wars, not start them." CBS News reported on Monday that Israel and the United States are interested in resettling Gazans in Syria. The report came as Israel is working quietly to advance a controversial plan proposed by Trump, in which Gaza’s more than 2 million people would be permanently — or even temporarily — sent elsewhere. But does Israel want the Gazans sent to another volatile border nation? Please see today's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Trump said to ‘green-light’ renewal of Gaza strikes, as world laments truce collapse Israel resumes Gaza strikes, says Hamas collapsed truce by refusing to free hostages After deadlock in Doha hostage talks, Israeli team heads to Cairo in search of results US, Israel see Syria as possible home for relocated Gazans, says report 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. IMAGE: An Israeli army soldier signals for the driver of a Merkava battle tank attempting to park at a position in southern Israel along the northern Gaza Strip on March 18, 2025. (Menahem Kahana / AFP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's Daily Briefing. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed on Monday to have twice attacked an American aircraft carrier group within 24 hours, calling it retaliation for deadly US strikes. How is Israel preparing for any retaliation as well? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar for an urgent meeting in his office yesterday evening and informed him that the cabinet would vote for his dismissal later in the week. The role of Shin Bet chief is one of the most important for Israel’s security. Fabian weighs in on how the upcoming dismissal could potentially shake the country’s deterrence or security standing and we hear who may be in the running to replace Bar. The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday detailed the identities of six Palestinian terror operatives it said were killed in airstrikes in northern Gaza’s Beit Lahiya on Saturday, including a terrorist who participated in the October 7, 2023, onslaught. According to Palestinian media, the strikes killed nine, including journalists. What is the IDF saying about these allegations? Israeli soldiers shot dead two suspects who crossed into Israel from Jordan near the northern town of Beit She’an shortly after midnight between Thursday and Friday. The two suspects were part of a group of at least eight who were trying to cross into Israel together. We hear what we know about the group's intentions in entering Israel. Amid the unrest in Syria, Israeli fighter jets on Thursday struck a residential building that the military said served as a Damascus headquarters for Palestinian Islamic Jihad to plan and carry out terror activities. Fabian delves into the IDF's current approach to nipping Palestinian terror groups in the bud in tumultuous Syria. The IDF has taken a platoon of reservists out of the Gaza Strip after a video posted to social media showed the troops opening fire during the reading of the Book of Esther. Yesterday, the reservists were sentenced. Does the punishment fit the crime? Please see today's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Houthis claim 2 attacks on USS Truman; US strikes said to target seized Israel-linked ship Air Force on high alert for resumption of Houthi missile, drone attacks on Israel Netanyahu says he’ll fire Shin Bet chief Bar; AG says he can’t before legal review IDF: Oct. 7 terrorist and others ‘operating under guise of journalists’ killed in Gaza IDF troops shoot dead two suspects trying to cross into Israel from Jordan IDF strikes alleged Islamic Jihad nerve center in Damascus, said to be leader’s house IDF removes reservists from Gaza over video of them shooting during Purim scroll reading 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. IMAGE: Illustrative: Ronen Bar, chief of Israel's domestic Shin Bet security agency, attends a ceremony marking Memorial Day for fallen soldiers of Israel's wars and victims of attacks at Jerusalem's Mount Herzl military cemetery, May 13, 2024. (Gil Cohen-Magen/Pool photo via AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textIn this episode of CareTalk, John Driscoll sits down with Oron Afek, CEO of Vim, to discuss how Vim is transforming healthcare by creating a smarter, more connected ecosystem for doctors and patients. Oron shares his entrepreneurial journey, from his early days in the Israeli military to building a healthcare platform that integrates seamlessly with electronic health records (EHRs) to improve clinical decision-making. Learn how Vim's technology is helping doctors make better decisions at the point of care, streamlining workflows, and driving better patient outcomes, all while empowering developers to build innovative healthcare solutions.

Parashat Ki Tissa [Exodus 30:11-34:35] is perhaps best known for the episode of the Golden Calf and the repairs entailed by that grievous sin. Our conversation focused on the לוחות, generally understood as the stone tablets on which were incised the Ten Commandments. We discussed the significance of the material, stone, as compared with papyrus in Egypt and parchment in Israel; the stone seems to reflect the Babylonian preference for clay tablets. What did these tablets look like? Did they, or how did they, function in ancient Israelite society? We also took some time to discuss an aspect of Megillat Esther, since Purim is Thursday night and Friday [March 13-14]. In particular, the last verse of chapter 8, where it is recorded “And many of the people of the land professed to be Jews, for the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.” What does it mean to be מתיהדים, [mityahadim, in which one can see the root yehudi (Jew)], “to profess to be Jews”? We remain ever mindful of the remaining hostages, dead and alive, in Gaza, and the moral and spiritual imperative to bring them home to their families, as well as of the soldiers who defend Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces. Shabbat Shalom.

Parashat T'tzavveh [Exodus 27:20-30:10] coincides with Shabbat Zakhor, the second of the four special shabbatot before Passover, each with its own maftir [Deuteronomy 25:17-19] and haftarah [1 Samuel 15:2-34]. The weekly Torah reading picks up where last week's left off, continuing the discussion of the provisioning of the Tabernacle. In particular, we discussed the clothes of the high priest and what they might mean. In addition, we discussed the maftir, with its call to annihilate Amalek, together with the parallel text in Exodus 17:8-17, which describes the original battle [and is read on Purim morning]. How should we refer to our enemies, if at all. These are some of the topics which engaged. We are ever mindful of the hostages, both dead and alive, and the need for their return to their families now, and of the soldiers who defend Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.

About Shay Perera:Shay is the co-founder and CTO of Navina, with a decade of experience in elite intelligence units of the Israel Defense Forces, where he applied artificial intelligence from theory to real-world solutions. He contributed heavily to hands-on R&D efforts while assuming significant leadership roles. Armed with a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, specializing in machine learning, from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Shay, alongside Ronen, earned the 2018 National Security Award for their groundbreaking work in AI.Things You'll Learn:AI is not just a futuristic concept but a current necessity for managing the overwhelming amount of healthcare data and streamlining clinical workflows, leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced administrative burdens for providers.The administrative burden is a significant pain point in healthcare, but AI can automate repetitive tasks, reduce the burden on providers, and streamline value-based care workflows, ultimately improving both clinical and economic outcomes.Emerging AI trends will change how physicians care for patients, saving time and enhancing knowledge of patient health.Clinical AI can act as a copilot, streamlining workflows and turning data into actionable insights for healthcare providers at the point of care and in the back office.  Healthcare organizations should focus on integrating AI solutions that can make physician life easier and ensure clinicians are involved as early as possible to gain trust in the process. Resources:Connect with and follow Shay Perera on LinkedIn.Learn more about Navina on their LinkedIn and website.Email Shay directly here.

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. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's Daily Briefing. Tomorrow marks day 50 of the ceasefire agreement. Fabian explains where the IDF is currently operating in the Gaza Strip and how quickly it could reassemble into war footing. A Syria war monitor reported on Saturday that over 745 civilians from the Alawite minority had been killed in recent days by security forces and their allies, as authorities clash with militants loyal to the former government of Bashar al-Assad. Coincidentally or not, the IDF said troops captured and destroyed numerous weapons during missions in southern Syria. Is this publication of the IDF's Syria mission a message to the new government there? Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews were escorted by the military on Friday to the traditionally considered burial place of a Babylonian scholar on the Lebanon border, after weeks of illegal attempts to reach the site. Later on Friday, the IDF carried out airstrikes in southern Lebanon, saying it targeted Hezbollah military sites. We learn about the IDF's current operations in Lebanon during the ceasefire. The Israel Defense Force’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, is to end his role in the coming weeks and retire from the military, the IDF announced on Friday. Many have seen this step as a de facto dismissal, as Hagari was not given a promotion for his work as IDF spokesman during the war. Fabian weighs in. Marking International Women's Day, Fabian and Borschel-Dan have a brief conversation about the role of women in IDF leadership. As women are slowly rising in the ranks in combat roles, could we see a female chief of staff in the next 20 years? Please see today's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: 745 civilians killed in clashes between Syrian regime and pro-Assad forces, says watchdog IDF says it seized, destroyed weapons in ‘targeted raids’ in southern Syria IDF says it struck terror targets in Lebanon and Gaza amid ceasefires IDF escorts hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews to pray at tomb straddling Lebanon border IDF spokesman Hagari to retire from military, in move widely seen as dismissal 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. IMAGE: Israeli soldiers operating inside the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, on February 9, 2025. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Daily Briefing. Late last night, following a four-hour security consultation with top officials, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declared that it was endorsing what it described as a proposal by US President Donald Trump’s special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, which would see the ceasefire with Hamas extended through Passover, which ends on April 19. What is this plan and how is it being received? Israel is not allowing any more goods to enter Gaza, says the Prime Minister’s Office, citing Hamas’s refusal to accept what it says is an American proposal to extend phase one of the ceasefire through Passover and Ramadan alongside more hostage releases. Berman explains what else Israel is currently withholding, which is counter to the mediated phase one deal. Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the Israel Defense Forces on Saturday to “prepare to defend” the Druze-majority city of Jaramana on the outskirts of Damascus in Syria. We hear why Israel sees itself as a defender of Druze and other minorities -- and what type of defense this may be. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said yesterday that he had signed a declaration to expedite the delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel after the Trump administration approved nearly $12 billion in major foreign military sales to the Jewish state. But after seeing the “good television” of a brush-up between Trump and Zelensky this weekend, should Israel be wary of such promises? Please see today's ongoing live blog for more updates. For further reading: As truce enters limbo, Israel agrees to extend talks with Hamas before resuming war Netanyahu and Katz direct IDF to ‘prepare to defend’ Syrian Druze suburb of Damascus US moves to expedite delivery of $4 billion in military aid to Israel After shouting match, Zelensky says Trump’s support for Ukraine still ‘crucial’ Trump berates Zelensky in shocking Oval Office scene: ‘Either make a deal or we’re out’ 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. Illustrative: Palestinian Hamas fighters and people gather in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, as preparations take place for the release of three Israeli hostages as part of the seventh hostage-prisoner swap on February 22, 2025. (Bashar Taleb / AFP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Daily Briefing updates, followed by the weekly Friday Focus, The Times of Israel's newest podcast series. Each Friday, catch Berman and Borschel-Dan for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. A Palestinian man steered his car into a crowd of people waiting at a bus stop in northern Israel in what is considered a terror spree that left 13 people injured, including a 17-year-old girl who is fighting for her life. We learn what we know about the perpetrator so far. Last night, the Israel Defense Forces presented its top-level investigations into the military’s failures during the lead-up to the Hamas terror group’s October 7, 2023, onslaught, and on the day itself. Berman shares quick takeaways and whether the IDF has begun a course correction already. Yesterday, an Israeli delegation arrived in Cairo for “intensive” talks on the next stages of the Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal, joining mediators from the US and Qatar. Berman weighs in on the disparate goals of all bodies involved. In today’s in-depth Friday Focus conversation, we are reminded that the most effective way to get out as many hostages as possible has been through a pair of negotiated hostage release-ceasefire deals. Among the questions asked and answered are: Who are the major players behind these negotiations? What have been the obstacles? Is paying ransom a Jewish value? Finally, we hear which of Israel’s allies does not traditionally negotiate with terrorists. Please see today's ongoing live blog 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: Teen in critical condition after terror suspect plows car into bus stop, injuring 13 IDF’s Oct. 7 probes show it misread Hamas for years, left southern Israel utterly vulnerable Israel sends delegation to Cairo for Gaza talks as ceasefire’s future put in doubt IMAGE: Demonstrators raise placards and chant slogans during a protest calling for the release of hostages held captive in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, attack by Palestinian terrorists, in front of the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on February 22, 2025. (Jack Guez / AFP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here are 3 big things you need to know—   One — President Donald Trump is preparing to dissolve the leadership of the U.S. Postal Service and absorb the independent mail agency into his administration. That's according to a Washington Post story. Trump is expected to issue an executive order as soon as this week to fire the members of the Postal Service's governing board and place the agency under the control of the Commerce Department and Secretary Howard Lutnick. However, a White House spokesperson said no such executive order is planned. Two ---- Israel's military says one of the four bodies handed over by Hamas Thursday was not a hostage.   The bodies released included two children, ages four and nine months.  Another was supposed to be the children's mother, but forensic analysis confirmed it was not her.  The Israel Defense Forces say this is a very serious violation by Hamas. And number three —   Amazon has beaten out Walmart in quarterly revenue for the first time ever.  The online retail giant reported nearly 188-billion-dollars in revenue during the fourth quarter.  Walmart reported Thursday 180-point-five-billion dollars in revenue for the same period.  Walmart is still leading Amazon when it comes to annual sales, although Amazon is gaining ground.

The Israel Defense Forces, under terms of a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, pulled out of southern Lebanon today but remained in five key “buffer zone” positions. Will Hezbollah now attempt to re-arm and how are Iran and Turkey working together to support the notorious terror proxy? Plus, Hamas says it is prepared to return the dead bodies of the Bibas family, including two toddlers who were held hostage. How will Israel respond to this latest atrocity? Check out our YouTube channel to never miss the Watchman Newscast live updates during the week and be sure to subscribe. WATCH Stakelbeck Tonight episodes for free on TBN+ here. The Watchman Newscast with Erick Stakelbeck features host Erick Stakelbeck's breakdown and understanding of current events and how they play an impact on Biblical Prophecy, Israel, and how it all impacts the world, no matter where you live. Tune in for more understandings on the major issues and news that matter to you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Today as the extended deadline for IDF withdrawal from Lebanon under the US-brokered ceasefire expires, Defense Minister Israel Katz said, “Starting today, the IDF will remain in a buffer zone in Lebanon in five strategic outposts and will continue to enforce forcefully and without compromise against any violation by Hezbollah.” Fabian explains why these five points and whether there is now a "buffer zone" on the border. Israel is expecting to receive the bodies of four hostages from Hamas on Thursday under the provisions of the first stage of an ongoing ceasefire deal with the Palestinian terror group. We hear how the IDF is preparing to receive the bodies and how the families will eventually be informed of their identities. Even as Egypt is working towards a proposal for rebuilding Gaza, Defense Minister Katz has called for a new directorate in the Defense Ministry tasked with enabling Palestinians to “voluntarily” leave the Gaza Strip, as per US President Donald Trump’s stated plans. Fabian weighs in. The Israel Defense Forces said it carried out a pair of drone strikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday — one targeting a group of gunmen who were approaching Israeli forces in one area and the other as a warning when a car drove near soldiers in another. We hear how all is not calm on the ground in Gaza. The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it had completed its investigations into its failures during the lead-up to the Hamas terror group’s October 7, 2023, onslaught, and would begin to present its findings next Tuesday. We learn what the investigations should -- or should not -- unveil. Please see today's ongoing live blog 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: Lebanese army says it’s deploying in southern border villages as IDF withdraws IDF to remain in five strategic posts in south Lebanon after Tuesday withdrawal Israel says it is preparing for Hamas to return bodies of four hostages on Thursday Egypt developing plan to rebuild Gaza as counter to Trump’s call to depopulate area Katz announces new panel tasked with advancing ‘voluntary’ emigration of Gazans Hamas said to agree to cede Gaza governance to PA; Netanyahu: ‘Not going to happen’ IDF drone strike hits gunmen in southern Gaza; three Hamas cops reportedly killed IDF completes all October 7 probes, will start presenting them next week IMAGE: A map showing the locations of five IDF posts in southern Lebanon that troops will remain deployed to after a February 18, 2025, deadline. (Times of Israel; OpenStreetMap)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran is trying desperately to rebuild its deadliest proxy but Israel is on the case. An Iranian passenger plane was turned back from landing at Beirut International Airport thanks to threats from the Israel Defense Forces. The IDF says Iran is using civilian flights to smuggle cash to Hezbollah. Meanwhile, a series of media reports this week said that U.S. intelligence officials believe Israel may strike Iran's nuclear facilities this year. Has Iran's moment of reckoning arrived? Check out our YouTube channel to never miss the Watchman Newscast live updates during the week and be sure to subscribe. WATCH Stakelbeck Tonight episodes for free on TBN+ here. The Watchman Newscast with Erick Stakelbeck features host Erick Stakelbeck's breakdown and understanding of current events and how they play an impact on Biblical Prophecy, Israel, and how it all impacts the world, no matter where you live. Tune in for more understandings on the major issues and news that matter to you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Talmud page, Sanhedrin 57, dives into the intricacies of self-defense. What, exactly are we allowed to do when a pursuer wishes to harm us? And how has the rabbis' logic influenced and inspired the Israel Defense Forces? Listen and find out.

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. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. The Israeli military on Saturday carried out three drone strikes on terror operatives in the northern West Bank. The strikes came as the Israel Defense Forces expanded an ongoing counterterrorism operation in the northern West Bank, now in its 13th day. What has been the scope of the operation so far? On Friday, IDF troops operating in a buffer zone in southern Syria came under fire in the first such incident since Israeli forces deployed to the buffer zone on the border between Israel and Syria. The IDF said soldiers returned fire toward the source of the shooting. Who was shooting at the IDF soldiers? Maj. Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir, the Defense Ministry director general, was tapped by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz on Saturday to become the next chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces. We learn about a previous case in which a reserves officer is pulled back into the army to head it and what Zamir may bring to the role. The Israel-Egypt border has been largely peaceful since the two countries signed a peace agreement in 1979, Israel’s first with an Arab state. Increasingly in addition to drug smuggling, the IDF border forces are attempting to prevent weapons smuggling as well. Fabian was there a few weeks ago and reports back. Defense Minister Israel Katz on Saturday threatened the released Palestinian prisoner and former terror chief Zakaria Zubeidi, two days after Zubeidi was freed as part of the hostage-ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Why was this terrorist mastermind singled out? For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: IDF carries out 3 drone strikes in Jenin area; Palestinians say 4 dead, including teen IDF troops operating in Syria buffer zone come under fire in 1st such incident Eyal Zamir named next IDF chief, set to take over from Herzi Halevi in March On Egypt border, senior IDF officer warns quietest ‘front’ has potential to erupt Defense minister warns freed terrorist Zubeidi: ‘One mistake and you’ll meet old friends’ 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. IMAGE: IDF troops operate in the West Bank city of Jenin on January 31, 2025, in this handout photo. (IDF)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.