The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

Day 542 - IDF tells Gazans to leave Rafah, Trump threatens Iran

Mar 31, 2025

Join David Horovitz, founding editor of The Times of Israel, and Sue Surkes, a dedicated reporter covering the Gaza envelope, as they dive into pressing Middle Eastern issues. They discuss the IDF's warning for Gazans to evacuate Rafah and the complex debate over military vs. diplomatic approaches to hostage situations. Horovitz analyzes Trump’s escalating threats to Iran regarding its nuclear ambitions, while Surkes reflects on the lingering trauma in Kibbutz Kfar Aza and a poignant memorial for attack victims.

24:20

Creator website

Episode guests

Sue Surkes

David Horovitz

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The IDF's directive for Gazans to evacuate Rafah marks an escalation in military efforts aimed at hostage negotiations amid polarized Israeli public opinion.

Kibbutz Kfar Aza is navigating the trauma of the October 7 attack through collective healing and a memorial that underscores community divisions and shared losses.

Deep dives

Military Operations and Hostage Negotiations

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have issued a directive for Palestinians to evacuate parts of the southern Gaza Strip, signifying an escalation in military operations aimed at eliminating terrorist capabilities. Prime Minister Netanyahu believes that this intensified military pressure will aid in securing the release of hostages held by Hamas. The conflicting strategies regarding hostage negotiations highlight the polarized opinions on how to effectively achieve their release, with some advocating for a cessation of military actions while the government persists in its current approach. This tension between military strategy and humanitarian concerns has led to public dissent in Israel, creating a complex political landscape around the issue of hostages.

Intro

2min

Strategic Evacuation and Hostage Dynamics

7min

Escalating Tensions: Trump's Threats and Iran's Nuclear Aspirations

4min

Exploring Pioneering Projects and Haredi Contributions

2min

Reflections from Kfar Aza: Grief and Rebuilding

11min

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.

Times of Israel founding editor David Horovitz and reporter Sue Surkes join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

As the IDF warns Gazans to leave Rafah in southern Gaza, saying the military is returning to fight to eliminate terrorist capabilities as part of its military pressure to bring about a hostage deal, Horovitz reviews the situation in the Gaza Strip. He discusses the ongoing divide in Israeli society over how to bring the remaining hostages home, whether through military pressure or negotiations.

Horovitz also looks at the CBS "60 Minutes" interview with released hostages, including freed captive Yarden Bibas, who pointedly called for US President Donald Trump to help bring about a return to negotiations.

As Trump threatens Iran with strikes if it doesn't return to nuclear talks, Horovitz talks about the rise in rhetoric between the two nations.

Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the hardest-hit collectives on October 7 is working to remember its dead and find solutions for its future, and Surkes discusses a book written by one of its residents about the challenges facing the kibbutz that had been privatized years before the Hamas terror attack. She also describes a recently installed memorial for those killed on the kibbutz on October 7.

Please see today's ongoing liveblog 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:

IDF tells Gazans to flee entire Rafah area in largest evacuation since fighting resumed

Yarden Bibas to 60 Minutes: Only Trump can convince Netanyahu, Hamas to renew ceasefire-hostage deal

Trump threatens ‘there will be bombing’ if Iran fails to make deal on nukes

‘A murder in every corner’: 60-year resident writes book on Kfar Aza challenges post-Oct. 7

Kfar Aza Oct. 7 memorial forms unforeseen stop on trail envisioned by murdered Ofir Libstein

IMAGE: Palestinians attend Eid prayers in Khan Yuni in the southern Gaza Strip, on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.