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 Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that his Board of Peace had reached an agreement on the “complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza.”

We learn how this deal was brought to the table this week and who was behind it, as well as the expected rollout of Hamas laying down its weapons and potential reconstruction in Gaza.

Magid delves into what has actually been agreed by Hamas in the meantime -- and what its conditions for Israel are. At recording time, official Israel is still mum; however, murmurings of discontent and dissent are growing. What are Israel's claims?

Magid explains that the proposal would see Hamas gradually hand over its weapons to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, the Board of Peace-overseen panel of Palestinian technocrats that is tasked with replacing the terror group in governing the Strip. Who could be other potential players in the Strip?

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

For further reading:

Trump: Board of Peace has reached agreement on ‘complete disarmament’ of Hamas

Trump will be ‘very disappointed’ if Israel obstructs his Gaza plan, US official warns

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.

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.
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jacob-magid/">US bureau chief Jacob Magid</a> joins&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/">host Amanda Borschel-Dan</a> for today's episode.
US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that his Board of Peace had reached an agreement on the &ldquo;complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza.&rdquo;
We learn how this deal was brought to the table this week and who was behind it, as well as the expected rollout of Hamas laying down its weapons and potential reconstruction in Gaza.
Magid delves into what has actually been agreed by Hamas in the meantime -- and what its conditions for Israel are. At recording time, official Israel is still mum; however, murmurings of discontent and dissent are growing. What are Israel's claims?
Magid explains that the proposal would see Hamas gradually hand over its weapons to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, the Board of Peace-overseen panel of Palestinian technocrats that is tasked with replacing the terror group in governing the Strip. Who could be other potential players in the Strip?
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-july-31-2026/">Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.</a>
For further reading:
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/board-of-peace-said-nearing-deal-with-hamas-on-disarmament-but-israel-opposes-offer/">Trump: Board of Peace has reached agreement on &lsquo;complete disarmament&rsquo; of Hamas</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-will-be-very-disappointed-if-israel-obstructs-his-gaza-plan-us-official-warns/">Trump will be &lsquo;very disappointed&rsquo; if Israel obstructs his Gaza plan, US official warns</a>
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-times-of-israel-daily-briefing/id1547404042"> Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1vhvFPvN0fFn5YRHCEcxrn">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMbb0w1n0Ev0orcVkufgZ89">YouTube,</a> or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.

Welcome to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing: Your update on what’s important in Israel, the Middle East and The Jewish World.

Welcome to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing: Your update on what&rsquo;s important in Israel, the Middle East and The Jewish World.

The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

The Daily Briefing

As Hamas agrees to lay down weapons, Israel is up in arms

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Lazar Focus. Each Friday, join host diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.

This week, we want to take a broad look at the direction of US foreign policy.

How does domestic politics affect America's ability to wage war? Is a moderate bump in gas prices enough to keep US President Donald Trump from achieving his goals against Iran? What changes after the midterms?

We also want to examine the nose-dive in support for Israel among Democrats, and the rise in antisemitism on the right wing of the Republican Party.

Prof. Victor Davis Hanson is one of the most prolific and well-known American historians. Trained as a classicist, he has written extensively on ancient and modern warfare. He also has unique insights into the currents driving US politics.

Hanson said that midterm elections often warp foreign policy. The incumbent party almost always loses, and with the Republicans holding a thin lead in the House of Representatives, they are in serious danger of losing the House. If that happens, said Hanson, Trump will face two years of impeachment hearings.

In addition, said Hanson, Americans are willing to support military action, but run out of patience quickly. "They don't mind the violence," he said. "They don't mind, to be frank, how many people you kill. They don't want to lose any Americans, but they want it short, and out of the Middle East especially."

Hanson pointed out that Democratic Socialists have only won a few elections in deep blue states thus far, and they are not the inevitable future of the Democratic Party. Both parties have had fringe outliers that damage their chances, only to have course corrections in subsequent cycles.

What is unique about the Democratic Socialists phenomenon, he says, is that it is combined with an Islamist element: "What unites them is they hate Western civilization. They hate capitalism, even though they do quite well by it. They hate Israel. And I'll be candid. I think they hate Jews as well."

He argued that on the right, the Republican Party and broader conservative movement are pushing back on their antisemitic fringe.

Vance, said Hanson, is "brilliant." He sees that Marco Rubio's star is rising and is trying to find a way to position himself as the party's frontrunner. Vance's way to do so, said Hanson, is to appeal to the disaffected working-class whites he grew up around.

On Iran, Hanson stressed that the people leading the regime are fanatics. What the US should do is create a transitional government in exile in a nearby Arab country and send frozen regime funds to that body.

"Sow the seeds of dissension and let it work like that," Hanson urged. "But I don't think we need to talk to them anymore. It's completely futile."

Overall, he said Israel is in a strong position diplomatically and militarily, while Iran is weaker than many realize. Russia and China are also slipping economically and demographically, while the US is squeezing them out of places like South America.

Hanson argued that prioritizing the Palestinian cause is a "Western elite fetish in Europe and the United States."

Finally, with one of the world's leading classics scholars on the show, how could we not discuss Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey? Hanson called it "a spectacularly produced film, special effects, and he encouraged people to take an interest in Homer. But "it's really not Homer's Odyssey. I would call it a diverse, equitable and inclusive Odyssey, a DEI Odyssey."

Lazar Focuscan be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and video edited by Ari Schlacht.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/friday-focus/">Lazar Focus</a>. Each Friday, join host&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/lazar-berman/">diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman</a> for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.
This week, we want to take a broad look at the direction of US foreign policy.
How does domestic politics affect America's ability to wage war? Is a moderate bump in gas prices enough to keep US President Donald Trump from achieving his goals against Iran? What changes after the midterms?
We also want to examine the nose-dive in support for Israel among Democrats, and the rise in antisemitism on the right wing of the Republican Party.
Prof. Victor Davis Hanson is one of the most prolific and well-known American historians. Trained as a classicist, he has written extensively on ancient and modern warfare. He also has unique insights into the currents driving US politics.
Hanson said that midterm elections often warp foreign policy. The incumbent party almost always loses, and with the Republicans holding a thin lead in the House of Representatives, they are in serious danger of losing the House. If that happens, said Hanson, Trump will face two years of impeachment hearings.
In addition, said Hanson, Americans are willing to support military action, but run out of patience quickly. "They don't mind the violence," he said. "They don't mind, to be frank, how many people you kill. They don't want to lose any Americans, but they want it short, and out of the Middle East especially."
Hanson pointed out that Democratic Socialists have only won a few elections in deep blue states thus far, and they are not the inevitable future of the Democratic Party. Both parties have had fringe outliers that damage their chances, only to have course corrections in subsequent cycles.
What is unique about the Democratic Socialists phenomenon, he says, is that it is combined with an Islamist element: "What unites them is they hate Western civilization. They hate capitalism, even though they do quite well by it. They hate Israel. And I'll be candid. I think they hate Jews as well."
He argued that on the right, the Republican Party and broader conservative movement are pushing back on their antisemitic fringe.
Vance, said Hanson, is "brilliant." He sees that Marco Rubio's star is rising and is trying to find a way to position himself as the party's frontrunner. Vance's way to do so, said Hanson, is to appeal to the disaffected working-class whites he grew up around.
On Iran, Hanson stressed that the people leading the regime are fanatics. What the US should do is create a transitional government in exile in a nearby Arab country and send frozen regime funds to that body.
"Sow the seeds of dissension and let it work like that," Hanson urged. "But I don't think we need to talk to them anymore. It's completely futile."
Overall, he said Israel is in a strong position diplomatically and militarily, while Iran is weaker than many realize. Russia and China are also slipping economically and demographically, while the US is squeezing them out of places like South America.
Hanson argued that prioritizing the Palestinian cause is a "Western elite fetish in Europe and the United States."
Finally, with one of the world's leading classics scholars on the show, how could we not discuss Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey? Hanson called it "a spectacularly produced film, special effects, and he encouraged people to take an interest in Homer. But "it's really not Homer's Odyssey. I would call it a diverse, equitable and inclusive Odyssey, a DEI Odyssey."
Lazar Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and video edited by Ari Schlacht.

Victor Davis Hanson: Trump must set up an Iranian government-in-exile

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.

Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

A drone hit a US-owned gas storage tanker at Egypt’s Mediterranean port of Damietta yesterday. No party has claimed responsibility, and authorities are continuing their investigations; however, two unnamed Iranian sources are quoted by The New York Times as heavily implying that Tehran was behind yesterday’s attack, marking the first targeting of that country in the current war.

As Iran flexes, Fabian describes the role of CENTCOM in the region and discusses recent cooperative strikes held by the US and Saudi Arabia. We explore the concept of Israeli air supremacy and learn what US assets are currently on Israeli soil -- and flying off of it.

Fabian updates on the Hezbollah drone that hit an Israeli armored bulldozer stationed in the IDF’s south Lebanon buffer zone overnight Tuesday, in violation of the ongoing truce. We next turn to Gaza, where the Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday struck a mosque in Gaza City, saying Wednesday that it was one of several Hamas weapons depots in the central and northern Gaza Strip that it destroyed this week.

In the second half of the program, we turn to the case of an Israeli civilian who previously served in the military in a classified unit who has been arrested and charged with spying on behalf of Iran. Fabian touches on similar recent cases and explains that perhaps these would-be spies are not only in it for the money.

And finally, yesterday IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir again said that the military must expand its ranks and draft more ultra-Orthodox soldiers, as data showed an increase in Haredi enlistment over the past year. We learn about whether the new Haredi brigade is meeting expectations.

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

For further reading:

Drone strikes US-owned gas tanker in Egyptian port, in possible expansion of Mideast war

Hezbollah drone hits IDF bulldozer, violating Lebanon truce, IDF says, days ahead of talks

IDF strikes Gaza City mosque, claims it was used for weapons storage

‘I know a lot’: Veteran of secret IDF unit charged with spying for Iran

IDF chief tells Haredi commanders army must grow, as data shows uptick in enlistment

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.

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.
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/emanuel-fabian/">Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian</a> joins <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/">host Amanda Borschel-Dan</a>&nbsp;for today's episode.
A drone hit a US-owned gas storage tanker at Egypt&rsquo;s Mediterranean port of Damietta yesterday. No party has claimed responsibility, and authorities are continuing their investigations; however, two unnamed Iranian sources are quoted by The New York Times as heavily implying that Tehran was behind yesterday&rsquo;s attack, marking&nbsp;the first targeting of that country in the current war.
As Iran flexes, Fabian describes the role of CENTCOM in the region and discusses recent cooperative strikes held by the US and Saudi Arabia. We explore the concept of Israeli air supremacy and learn what US assets are currently on Israeli soil -- and flying off of it.
Fabian updates on the Hezbollah drone that hit an Israeli armored bulldozer stationed in the IDF&rsquo;s south Lebanon buffer zone overnight Tuesday, in violation of the ongoing truce. We next turn to Gaza, where the Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday struck a mosque in Gaza City, saying Wednesday that it was one of several Hamas weapons depots in the central and northern Gaza Strip that it destroyed this week.
In the second half of the program, we turn to the case of an Israeli civilian who previously served in the military in a classified unit who has been arrested and charged with spying on behalf of Iran. Fabian touches on similar recent cases and explains that perhaps these would-be spies are not only in it for the money.
And finally, yesterday IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir again said that the military must expand its ranks and draft more ultra-Orthodox soldiers, as data showed an increase in Haredi enlistment over the past year. We learn about whether the new Haredi brigade is meeting expectations.
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-july-30-2026/">Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.</a>
For further reading:
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/drone-strikes-us-owned-gas-tanker-in-egyptian-port-in-possible-expansion-of-mideast-war/">Drone strikes US-owned gas tanker in Egyptian port, in possible expansion of Mideast war</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/hezbollah-drone-hits-idf-bulldozer-violating-lebanon-truce-ahead-of-talks-idf/">Hezbollah drone hits IDF bulldozer, violating Lebanon truce, IDF says, days ahead of talks</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-strikes-gaza-city-mosque-claims-it-was-used-for-weapons-storage/">IDF strikes Gaza City mosque, claims it was used for weapons storage</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/veteran-of-secret-idf-unit-arrested-charged-upon-suspicion-of-spying-for-iran/">&lsquo;I know a lot&rsquo;: Veteran of secret IDF unit charged with spying for Iran</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-chief-tells-haredi-commanders-army-must-grow-as-data-shows-uptick-in-enlistment/">IDF chief tells Haredi commanders army must grow, as data shows uptick in enlistment</a>
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-times-of-israel-daily-briefing/id1547404042"> Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1vhvFPvN0fFn5YRHCEcxrn">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMbb0w1n0Ev0orcVkufgZ89">YouTube,</a> or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.

Iran's first strike on Egypt tests CENTCOM’s defense umbrella

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 Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the White House for his first in-person talks with US President Donald Trump since the Iran war began in February. Closed to the press, later statements about the meeting were laconic, with Israel describing it as “excellent” and “one of the best we’ve ever had,” and the White House calling the talks productive and positive.

Magid reviews what we know about the meetup and hypothesizes why the long-awaited talks were held in such an atypically subdued fashion.

We hear about overnight flare-ups in the Iran conflict after the regime targeted US forces in Jordan and the US and Saudi Arabia launched deadly strikes on Tehran-backed militias in Iraq, blaming them for drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities. How close were the sides to resuming the memorandum of understanding -- and what may happen now?

Securing Saudi Arabia is the focus of our final item as well: Magid brings exclusive reporting on how Pakistani military chief Asim Munir leveraged a joint oil transport venture with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Ahmad Vahidi to secure an agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia under which Tehran agreed to halt attacks against the Gulf kingdom.

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

For further reading:

Netanyahu: Meeting with Trump was one of our best ever; White House: Productive, positive

Wary of perception that Israel driving war, Trump and Netanyahu opt to avoid optics altogether

‘He loved Israel’: Lindsey Graham eulogized by Trump and other dignitaries at DC funeral

US-Saudi strikes target Iraqi pro-Iran militias as IRGC renews attacks on US forces

Pakistan army chief leveraged private oil venture with IRGC head to shield Saudi Arabia

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.

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.
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jacob-magid/">US bureau chief Jacob Magid</a> joins&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/">host Amanda Borschel-Dan</a> for today's episode.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the White House for his first in-person talks with US President Donald Trump since the Iran war began in February. Closed to the press, later statements about the meeting were laconic, with Israel describing it as &ldquo;excellent&rdquo; and &ldquo;one of the best we&rsquo;ve ever had,&rdquo; and the White House calling the talks productive and positive.
Magid reviews what we know about the meetup and hypothesizes why the long-awaited talks were held in such an atypically subdued fashion.
We hear about overnight flare-ups in the Iran conflict after the regime targeted US forces in Jordan and the US and Saudi Arabia launched deadly strikes on Tehran-backed militias in Iraq, blaming them for drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities. How close were the sides to resuming the memorandum of understanding -- and what may happen now?
Securing Saudi Arabia is the focus of our final item as well: Magid brings exclusive reporting on how Pakistani military chief Asim Munir leveraged a joint oil transport venture with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Ahmad Vahidi to secure an agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia under which Tehran agreed to halt attacks against the Gulf kingdom.
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-july-29-2026/">Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.</a>
For further reading:
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-says-white-house-meeting-with-trump-was-one-of-the-best-weve-ever-had/">Netanyahu: Meeting with Trump was one of our best ever; White House: Productive, positive</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/wary-of-appearance-that-israel-driving-war-trump-and-netanyahu-opt-to-avoid-optics-altogether/">Wary of perception that Israel driving war, Trump and Netanyahu opt to avoid optics altogether</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/he-loved-israel-lindsey-graham-eulogized-by-trump-and-other-dignitaries-at-dc-funeral/">&lsquo;He loved Israel&rsquo;: Lindsey Graham eulogized by Trump and other dignitaries at DC funeral</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-saudi-strikes-target-iraqi-pro-iran-militias-as-irgc-renews-attacks-on-us-forces/">US-Saudi strikes target Iraqi pro-Iran militias as IRGC renews attacks on US forces</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/pakistan-army-chief-leveraged-private-oil-venture-with-irgc-head-to-shield-saudi-arabia/">Pakistan army chief leveraged private oil venture with IRGC head to shield Saudi Arabia</a>
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-times-of-israel-daily-briefing/id1547404042"> Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1vhvFPvN0fFn5YRHCEcxrn">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMbb0w1n0Ev0orcVkufgZ89">YouTube,</a> or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.

As Hamas agrees to lay down weapons, Israel is up in arms

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