The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

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 correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
A group of at least five armed Palestinian terror operatives on Saturday evening emerged from a tunnel and approached troops in the northern Gaza Strip, on the Israeli side of a ceasefire line. We learn of the retaliatory strikes.
Fabian, who was embedded with IDF troops outside of Gaza City last week, describes what he saw on the ground even as the IDF is finalizing plans for a potential renewed operation. We learn about the new policy for reservists as the army faces budget cuts.
As part of “upgrading readiness for future threats” -- read: Iran -- the Defense Ministry said last week it successfully completed a series of “complex” tests with the David’s Sling medium-range air defense system. We learn the economic impact of repurposing the system.
And finally, an Israeli military reservist and a civilian were indicted last week for using classified information to place bets regarding military operations on the popular Polymarket prediction market. What is this website and how dangerous was the intel leak?
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
IDF strikes gunmen who approached troops in north Gaza after emerging from tunnel
Anti-Hamas militia says it is destroying terror group’s tunnels in Gaza
IDF readying new Gaza offensive to disarm Hamas by force
IDF says cutting back superfluous reservists, will reduce duty time
Eyeing future missile threats, Israel successfully completes ‘complex’ David’s Sling tests
Two indicted for using classified info to place online bets on military operations
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.
IMAGE: Smoke and flames rise from an Israeli military strike on a building in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, February 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
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Welcome to The Reel Schmooze with ToI film reviewer Jordan Hoffman and host Amanda Borschel-Dan, where we bring you all the entertainment news and film reviews a Jew can use.
After Borschel-Dan reads out a listener's cottage cheese-themed email, Hoffman brings us a news "Jangle" involving "Marty Supreme" actress Odessa A'zion.
Next, we hear how to pickle lemons, and then we turn to an Israeli student film, "The Butcher's Stain," that is up for an Oscar this year for Best Short Film. Hoffman weighs in on its chances.
Finally, we explore Spike Lee's 2018 "BlacKkKlansman," which has several surprisingly deeply Jewish moments.
Check out the "meh plus!" and "not bad" films in this week's The Reel Schmooze.
The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts.
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Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Alice Miller, the CEO of Natan Worldwide Disaster Relief.
Miller is nationally known for her landmark Supreme Court case in 1995, which opened the gates of the Israel Air Force to female fighter pilots. This decision paved the way for today's female combat soldiers and made Miller a household name.
However, that was just the start of Miller's incredible journey that has taken her around the globe -- and her work as an aeronautical engineer may even reach the moon.
Today, Miller serves as the head of an NGO that brings volunteer medical staff and therapists into international disaster zones. In the past year alone, teams have landed in Syria, Mexico and are shortly taking off for Mozambique.
Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas onslaught on southern Israel, the organization began work in Israel for the first time -- and eventually, also in the Gaza Strip.
We learn about the principled decision that has Israelis serving Gazans as we ask Miller, 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 Ari Schlacht.
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Welcome to The Times of Israel's Lazar Focus. Each Friday, join host diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.
Only 16 days before the October 7, 2023, attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to the podium at the United Nations. As a Saudi diplomat listened intently, he said, "We are on the cusp of an even more dramatic breakthrough, a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia.”
The war that erupted with the Hamas invasion has, not surprisingly, pushed off normalization, but it was still seen as likely once the hostages came back and Hamas was beaten.
That prognosis has been replaced by alarm in recent months. The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE -- a close Israeli ally -- spilled out into the open in Yemen, and continues to simmer in Sudan and Libya.
Meanwhile, Riyadh's relations with Ankara and Doha continue to improve. In parallel, Saudi media and clerics launched a bitter war of words on the UAE, Israel, and even Jews.
Berman drills down into the economic, strategic, and military roots of the UAE-Saudi regional rivalry, and whether the idea of blocs in the Middle East is even accurate.
He then gives his assessment of whether Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is really realigning the kingdom's foreign policy, and what it means for a peace deal with Israel.
Lazar Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.
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.
US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
US President Donald Trump met privately with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, and later said he had insisted to the Israeli leader that American negotiations with Iran continue. We unravel Trump's Truth Social statement and learn what Netanyahu released following the meeting.
The inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace is set for next week in DC. Who is confirmed to attend -- and who is still on the fence?
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas received a draft constitution last week that aims to transition the PA to a full-fledged state. Magid weighs in on whether or not it may be ratified and delves into Israel's security cabinet announcement on Sunday that details new areas under Israeli control in the West Bank.
Finally, we turn to a curious AIPAC campaign that thwarted a candidate who perceives himself as "pro-Israel."
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Trump says he ‘insisted’ to Netanyahu that Iran talks go on, as PM stresses ‘security needs’
US aims to fundraise for Gaza reconstruction amid fog over Hamas disarmament
Abbas receives draft constitution that aims to transition PA to full-fledged state
AIPAC defends spending $2.3m to thwart ‘pro-Israel’ NJ congressional candidate
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves and Ari Schlacht.
IMAGE: A member of the Revolutionary Guard flashes a victory sign while taking position as a man holds an Iranian flag under the Azadi, or freedom, monument tower during an annual rally marking 1979 Islamic Revolution at the Azadi square in Tehran, Iran, February 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
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