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.

Zman Yisrael founding editor Biranit Goren and environmental reporter Sue Surkes join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

Following the smothering of nationwide protests challenging Iran's theocracy, Goren discusses that US President Donald Trump appears to be backing down from his threats against Iran, possibly because the US hasn't made it a priority to topple the Iranian regime.

With the technocratic board members chosen for the second phase of the Gaza plan, Trump is determined to push forward to the second phase of the ceasefire, says Goren, despite the remaining issues of disarming Hamas and returning the final hostage body of Ran Gvili.

Kibbutz Be'eri is moving forward with its reconstruction, reports Surkes, with houses and several public buildings being rebuilt with primarily Tekuma Directorate funding, and expectations for residents to return in the summer.

Surkes also looks at the use of so-called poultry manure as cattle feed in Israel, a practice that has been banned in many Western countries.

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

For further reading:

Iran’s nationwide protests appear smothered, with fate of potential US action unclear

US, Britain issue travel warnings for Israel; several countries tell citizens to leave Iran

US bullish as bodies tasked with replacing Hamas take shape, despite disarmament hurdle

Kibbutz Be’eri chooses single burned-out house to bear testimony to October 7

Banned elsewhere in the West, Israel permitting farmers to use feces as cattle feed

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: People walk past a poster by artist TVBOY depicting President Donald Trump wearing a construction worker outfit and holding a placard reading in Spanish: My Gaza is your Gaza, is posted on a street in Rome, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (Gregorio Borgia/AP PHOTO)

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