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 Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
Magid discusses how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flip-flopped Tuesday night with a series of statements regarding the current ceasefire and the number of hostages to be released on Saturday. Magid suggests it could be part of an ongoing effort to back US President Donald Trump's demands and to also keep Hamas guessing.
As the IDF prepares to move enlisted soldiers down south to the Gaza border and called on reservists to ready themselves, Magid says there may be more legitimacy from the US toward Israel to battle Hamas again in order to achieve the broader goals of the region.
Magid reviews Trump's meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah and Abdullah's offer to take in 2,000 sick Palestinian children, although it appears that Jordan is not interested in taking in mass amounts of Gazan refugees, and sees it as exporting the conflict.
He also talks about the Palestinian Authority agreement to review legislation regarding welfare payments for Palestinian prisoners and families of slain attackers who killed Israelis in terrorist attacks.
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:
Netanyahu: ‘Intense fighting’ to resume in Gaza if hostages not released by Saturday
Trump urges ending Gaza ceasefire if all hostages not released by noon Saturday
Abdullah says Jordan will take in 2,000 sick Gazan kids as Trump pushes relocation plan
Architect of US law against PA ‘pay-to-slay’ skeptical of Ramallah effort to end it
IMAGE: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a plenum session at the Knesset on February 10, 2025 (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
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