Day 664 - Witkoff arrives in region, Gaza aid is main topic

10 snips

Jul 31, 2025

Jacob Magid, the US Bureau Chief at The Times of Israel, delves into Canada’s recognition of a Palestinian state and its conditions tied to reforms. He discusses the troubling Senate vote on arms sales to Israel, reflecting increasing distrust of Netanyahu's government. As US Envoy Steve Witkoff arrives, Gaza aid takes center stage, prioritizing humanitarian needs. Magid also examines the recent shooting of a Palestinian activist by a settler, highlighting disparities in legal treatment that reveal underlying tensions in the region.

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INSIGHT

Countries to Recognize Palestinian State

France, the UK, and Canada plan to recognize a Palestinian state in September, each with different political conditions.
These moves reflect growing international frustration with Israel's handling of the Gaza war and humanitarian crisis.

INSIGHT

Shift in U.S. Senate on Israel Aid

The U.S. Senate showed a shift as more Democrats voted against arms sales to Israel, reflecting distrust of the Netanyahu government.
This mirrors international skepticism and highlights divisions within U.S. political parties on Israel policy.

INSIGHT

Trump's Unclear Gaza Aid Plan

President Trump focuses on addressing starvation in Gaza by proposing new "food centers" but details remain unclear.
Israeli officials are uncertain about Trump's plan, signaling confusion over aid strategies and the effectiveness of existing programs.

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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.

With Canada announcing that it will recognize a Palestinian state in September, Magid discusses that Canada is conditioning its plan on Palestinian Authority reforms.

Magid also looks at the latest vote in the Senate to block arms sales to Israel, as an extension of distrust of Netanyahu government. The resolution proposed by progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders didn't pass again, but a majority of Democrats voted against it, a first that shows the distrust of the Netanyahu government, says Magid.

As US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff makes his way to the region, Magid says that Gaza humanitarian aid is the main issue he'll presumably discuss with Netanyahu, with clear prioritization on how to aid the Gazans.

Magid also talks about the alleged shooting of a prominent Palestinian activist by a known Jewish settler and the clear differences in how the suspected settler, Yinon Levi, was treated by Israeli civilian law as opposed to the Palestinian suspects involved in the case, who are being handled by the Israeli military legal system.

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

For further reading:

Following France and UK, Canada says it will recognize Palestinian state in September

Israel said to warn Hamas it will annex parts of Gaza if no hostage deal reached

As Trump promises new Gaza aid plan, White House says details forthcoming

IDF court extends Palestinians’ remand after Israeli in same incident freed to house arrest

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: Palestinians carry food supplies they received from the US aid center in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, July 30, 2025. (Photo by Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)

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