Day 711 - IDF's ground operation in Gaza City begins

24 snips

Sep 16, 2025

Biranit Goren, the Zman Yisrael editor, joins the discussion on the IDF's expanded ground operations in Gaza City against Hamas. They dive into the humanitarian concerns affecting families of Israeli hostages, some believed to be alive. Goren sheds light on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Qatar, where a key defense cooperation agreement is nearing completion. The geopolitical implications, including the U.S.-Israel-Hamas dynamics and Prime Minister Netanyahu's stance on military self-reliance, are also explored.

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INSIGHT

Expanded Ground Offensive In Gaza City

The IDF launched a large-scale ground operation in Gaza City called "Chariots of Gideon Part 2" with tens of thousands of troops and air support.
The army says it already holds roughly half the city while tens of thousands of Palestinians fled toward humanitarian zones.

ANECDOTE

Hostage Families Protest Netanyahu

Hostage families rushed to protest outside Prime Minister Netanyahu's residence as the Gaza City operation began.
Families fear the assault will put the roughly 20 hostages presumed alive at immediate risk and accuse Hamas of using them as human shields.

INSIGHT

US Moves To Deepen Ties With Qatar

The US is finalizing an enhanced defense cooperation agreement with Qatar despite Israeli objections after an attack in Doha.
The US sees Qatar as a crucial mediator with leverage over Hamas and will press it to continue negotiating ceasefires.

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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.

Zman Yisrael editor Biranit Goren joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Two IDF divisions, made up of tens of thousands of troops, began expanded ground operations in Gaza City overnight as the army launches a “new stage” of its offensive against Hamas. The early stages of the offensive, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots B” began several weeks ago with increased strikes on Hamas targets, including high-rise towers, and ground operations on the outskirts of Gaza City and in several neighborhoods in the west of the city. We learn what is happening on the ground in Gaza City so far and the responses from the families of the 48 Israeli hostages held in the Strip, 20 of whom are presumed alive.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while en route to Doha from Tel Aviv, announced that Qatar and the United States are on the verge of finalizing an enhanced defense cooperation agreement, after Israel’s attack targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar last week drew widespread condemnation. He also called for Qatar to continue its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza war. Goren discusses what we're hearing from the Trump White House and how Israel could be connected to this finalized defense agreement.

In a speech yesterday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel is facing increasing isolation on the world stage and will have to become more self-reliant in the years to come. He said, “We will increasingly need to adapt to an economy with autarkic characteristics,” he said, using the term for economic self-sufficiency. Describing the ongoing war and its effects, he said, “We are Athens and Sparta. But we’re going to be Athens and super-Sparta,” he said. “There’s no choice; in the coming years, at least, we will have to deal with these attempts to isolate us.” Goren gives context and weighs in.

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

For further reading:

Hostage families camp outside PM’s home amid rumored start to Gaza City ground op

Alongside Rubio, Netanyahu claims Qatar strike succeeded because it sent a ‘message’

Netanyahu admits Israel is economically isolated, will need to become self-reliant

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.

IMAGE: The 98th Division expands its ground operations in Gaza City, September 16, 2025. (IDF)

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