Moshe Lavi, brother-in-law of Israeli hostage Omri Miran, passionately advocates for the plight of hostages. He shares his disappointment with Prime Minister Netanyahu's refusal to meet families, juxtaposed against the backdrop of chilling stories from returning captives. Lavi highlights the urgency for effective negotiations as Miran remains in peril. Delving into the emotional struggles of young children like Alma missing their father, he encapsulates the pain of absence and the relentless hope families cling to amid the turmoil.

Alon Pinkas, a seasoned Haaretz columnist and former Israeli Consul General in New York, shares keen insights on the fallout from Trump and Netanyahu's recent meeting. He highlights how Netanyahu's supporters may misread the optimistic tone surrounding Trump's Gaza plan. Pinkas argues that Trump's unfeasible vision, which includes relocating Gaza's residents, overshadows Netanyahu's failure to sway U.S. support away from cease-fire negotiations with Hamas. The discussion further delves into the complexities of Israeli-Palestinian relations and regional diplomacy.

Hagar Shezaf, a Haaretz West Bank correspondent with five years of experience documenting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, paints a harrowing picture of life in West Bank refugee camps. She discusses how intensified military campaigns, particularly Operation Iron Wall, have created a 'nightmare' for civilians. While acknowledging the presence of militants, Shezaf emphasizes the plight of ordinary people caught in the violence. She highlights the devastating impact on critical infrastructure and the ongoing struggles faced by Palestinian families amid escalating tensions.

In this insightful discussion, Professor Hagai Levine, a public health expert and head of the health team for the Hostages Family Forum, dives into the intricacies faced by hostages freed from Hamas. He explores the psychological and physical challenges that arise post-captivity, stressing the urgent need for comprehensive long-term care. Levine addresses the troubling gaps in government support for these individuals and families, and highlights the importance of advocacy from humanitarian organizations to ensure adequate recovery resources.

At the moment, Israelis may think they have U.S. President Donald Trump's unconditional support when it comes to the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon - but that is not the case, according to Haaretz Washington correspondent Ben Samuels. Reviewing Trump’s first weeks in office and their impact on the Middle East, amid reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be visiting the White House in coming days, Samuels noted on the Haaretz Podcast that Trump took dramatic steps with executive orders erasing what he could of President Joe Biden’s legacy. This includes  rescinding sanctions on violent extremist settlers in the West Bank, and lifting the only hold that Biden put on heavy payload weapons to Israel.  Also on this week's podcast, Haaretz correspondent Linda Dayan described the powerful scene at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv over the weekend, where the release of four young women, IDF spotters who were taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023, brought tears and relief to a country on edge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amir Tibon, a senior writer for Haaretz English Edition, shares gripping insights on the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. He discusses the emotional release of three hostages, watched by a captivated nation. Tibon captures the tense atmosphere at the Gaza border and the critical implications for the remaining hostages, including those from his community. The conversation highlights the contrasting narratives and the media’s delicate role in hostage negotiations, weighing the human impact against political maneuvering.

Amos Harel, Haaretz's senior security analyst, dives into the intricacies of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release deal. He discusses the potential pitfalls that could derail the agreement even after it seems finalized. Harel highlights the psychological impact on hostages and the complexities of decision-making in crisis situations. He also addresses the implications for Gaza's governance and the shifting political landscape in Israel, revealing how these dynamics could alter future diplomatic efforts.

Karen Zivan, a psychologist and mother of five IDF soldiers, discusses the profound psychological toll of war on Israeli families. She highlights the emotional chaos following the October 7th attacks and the urgent need for mental health support. Joining her, Nagham Zbeedat shares her insights on the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, particularly the struggles parents face in providing basic care for newborns amidst conflict. Both stress the unseen emotional battles parents endure when safety for their children becomes elusive.

This week, Israel was rocked by the story of a young man who served in Gaza that went on a trip to Brazil – and found himself wanted for questioning for war crimes. He managed to flee the country before he was arrested, but questions remained: What does this mean for soldiers and reservists who fought in the war and want to travel abroad? Is this the new normal? Haaretz correspondent Linda Dayan spoke to Amir Tibon, a senior writer and columnist for the Haaretz English edition, about efforts by pro-Palestinian groups to track Israelis who saw combat in Gaza and push for their prosecution, unwittingly aided by the soldiers themselves, who posted pictures and videos from the front, against the IDF’s orders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A year has come and gone, and Israel has worn down Hamas and Gaza and decimated the leadership and manpower of Hezbollah, achieving many of its stated objectives since the war began. But one of the most – if not the most – pressing issue has yet to be solved. One hundred people kidnapped by Hamas and other militants in Gaza remain in captivity, over 450 days later. Each week, their families and supporters protest for their release, pleading for a deal that will see their loved ones come home and the fighting cease. But why hasn't this happened yet, and why do the negotiations keep falling apart? Haaretz reporter Linda Dayan spoke to Daniel Shek, a former Israeli ambassador and the head of diplomacy for the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, about the negotiations, why the Israeli government won't end the war, the international community's failures and what the future might hold.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.