IMAGE: An Israeli soldier stands guard behind sandbags in Kibbutz Hanita near Israel's border with Lebanon, November 24, 2024. (Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

IMAGE: An Israeli soldier stands guard behind sandbags in Kibbutz Hanita near Israel's border with Lebanon, November 24, 2024. (Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

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

Day 417 - Northern mayors livid about possible ceasefire

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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Bermanjoins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Just after recording time today, US President Donald Trump announced that the administration is conducting negotiations with Iran to end the war and has paused his threat to bomb power stations if Iran doesn't open up the Strait of Hormuz. 

We discuss how the focus of the war is currently on the Strait of Hormuz, and is even garnering increased support from Arab Gulf states. We hear Berman's projections on the length of the war -- and who may or may not join in the conflict.

We then turn to increasing reports that the IDF is planning a much wider ground operation in southern Lebanon than the "targeted" operation that was launched last week. Is there an endgame?

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

For further reading:

Iran warns it will hit Israeli, Gulf power plants if US targets Iranian electric stations

Trump’s shifting Strait of Hormuz strategies raise questions about US war preparation

How Trump’s Iran war goals and time frames have shifted over course of conflict

Israel blows up bridge allegedly used by Hezbollah to move troops into south Lebanon

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Yitzhak Ledee produced and edited this episode.

IMAGE: A cargo ship carrying vehicles sails through the Arabian Gulf toward the Strait of Hormuz in the United Arab Emirates, March 22, 2026. (AP Photo) 

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/lazar-berman/">Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman </a>joins <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/">host Amanda Borschel-Dan</a> for today's episode.
Just after recording time today, US President Donald Trump announced that the administration is conducting negotiations with Iran to end the war and has paused his threat to bomb power stations if Iran doesn't open up the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;
We discuss how the focus of the war is currently on the Strait of Hormuz, and is even garnering increased support from Arab Gulf states. We hear Berman's projections on the length of the war -- and who may or may not join in the conflict.
We then turn to increasing reports that the IDF is planning a much wider ground operation in southern Lebanon than the "targeted" operation that was launched last week. Is there an endgame?
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-23-2026/">Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.</a>
For further reading:
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-warns-it-will-hit-israeli-gulf-power-plants-if-us-targets-iranian-electric-stations/">Iran warns it will hit Israeli, Gulf power plants if US targets Iranian electric stations</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/trumps-shifting-strait-of-hormuz-strategies-raise-questions-about-us-war-preparation/">Trump&rsquo;s shifting Strait of Hormuz strategies raise questions about US war preparation</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/how-trumps-iran-war-goals-and-time-frames-have-shifted-over-course-of-conflict/">How Trump&rsquo;s Iran war goals and time frames have shifted over course of conflict</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-blows-up-bridge-allegedly-used-by-hezbollah-to-move-troops-into-south-lebanon/">Israel blows up bridge allegedly used by Hezbollah to move troops into south Lebanon</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. Yitzhak Ledee produced and edited this episode.
IMAGE: A cargo ship carrying vehicles sails through the Arabian Gulf toward the Strait of Hormuz in the United Arab Emirates, March 22, 2026. (AP Photo)&nbsp;

All eyes on the Strait of Hormuz as world awaits next move

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 Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

As the IDF looks into the failure to intercept the Iranian missiles that struck Dimona and Arad, causing massive damage and injuries, Fabian discusses the air force's interception rate, which is around 90% for missiles heading to populated areas.

Fabian reports on the ongoing efforts of the IAF to track down and take out Iran's air defense systems, nuclear-related sites and ballistic missile launchers, which are scattered throughout the regime, with current weather conditions complicating the operation.

With four IDF divisions operating in south Lebanon, Fabian reviews the number of troops and their work to demolish Hezbollah sites, while the Iranian proxy continues striking northern Israel.

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

For further reading:

Over 150 injured, 11 seriously, in Iranian missile strikes on southern cities of Arad, Dimona

IDF says it hit Tehran university site used to develop components for nuclear weapons

US said to strike Iran’s Natanz enrichment site, IDF hits missile production sites

Hezbollah rocket injures 5 in north, buildings damaged in barrages as IDF strikes Lebanon

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.

Image: The scene where a missile fired from Iran toward Israel caused damage to residential buildings in the southern Israeli city of Dimona, March 22, 2026 (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jessica-steinberg/">host Jessica Steinberg</a> for today's episode.
As the IDF looks into the failure to intercept the Iranian missiles that struck Dimona and Arad, causing massive damage and injuries, Fabian discusses the air force's interception rate, which is around 90% for missiles heading to populated areas.
Fabian reports on the ongoing efforts of the IAF to track down and take out Iran's air defense systems, nuclear-related sites and ballistic missile launchers, which are scattered throughout the regime, with current weather conditions complicating the operation.
With four IDF divisions operating in south Lebanon, Fabian reviews the number of troops and their work to demolish Hezbollah sites, while the Iranian proxy continues striking northern Israel.
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-22-2026/">Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.</a>
For further reading:
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/over-100-injured-11-seriously-in-iranian-missile-strikes-on-southern-cities-of-arad-dimona/">Over 150 injured, 11 seriously, in Iranian missile strikes on southern cities of Arad, Dimona</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-it-hit-tehran-university-site-used-to-develop-components-for-nuclear-weapons/">IDF says it hit Tehran university site used to develop components for nuclear weapons</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-said-to-strike-irans-natanz-enrichment-site-idf-hits-missile-production-sites/?utm_source=article_hpsidebar&amp;utm_medium=desktop_site&amp;utm_campaign=idf-says-it-hit-tehran-university-site-used-to-develop-components-for-nuclear-weapons">US said to strike Iran&rsquo;s Natanz enrichment site, IDF hits missile production sites</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/hezbollah-rockets-damage-buildings-in-north-as-idf-strikes-lebanon-kills-gunmen/?utm_source=article_hpsidebar&amp;utm_medium=desktop_site&amp;utm_campaign=idf-says-it-hit-tehran-university-site-used-to-develop-components-for-nuclear-weapons">Hezbollah rocket injures 5 in north, buildings damaged in barrages as IDF strikes Lebanon</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.
Image: The scene where a missile fired from Iran toward Israel caused damage to residential buildings in the southern Israeli city of Dimona, March 22, 2026 (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Amid missile strikes and rainstorms, IAF hunts Iranian launchers

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with author and journalist Matti Friedman.

The first half of our episode is dedicated to an in-depth discussion of Friedman's newest book, "Out of the Sky," set for publication next week. The book is a deep dive into the meaning and myth surrounding a team of Jews living in British Mandate Palestine who -- after escaping the Holocaust -- parachute back into Nazi Europe in 1944.

The most famous of the unit is Hannah Senesh, whom readers will know as the tragic young woman who heroically attempted to save Jews and left behind Hebrew poetry, including "Eli, Eli." In his new book, Friedman busts myths surrounding the mission's participants and then tells their even more stunning real tales.

In the second half of the program, we draw upon Friedman's personal experiences in Lebanon, which he recounted in a previous book, "Pumpkin Flowers."

We discuss the crossroads Israel again finds itself as it contemplates a large ground maneuver on a road too well-traveled in southern Lebanon.

And so, this week, we ask Matti Friedman, what matters now.

What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and edited by Yitzhak Ledee.

Matti Friedman / Troops of the 300th 'Baram' Regional Brigade operate in southern Lebanon, in a handout photo issued by the military on March 18, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/">Amanda Borschel-Dan</a> speaking with author and journalist Matti Friedman.
The first half of our episode is dedicated to an in-depth discussion of Friedman's newest book, "<a href="https://mattifriedman.com/out-of-the-sky/">Out of the Sky</a>," set for publication next week. The book is a deep dive into the meaning and myth surrounding a team of Jews living in British Mandate Palestine who -- after escaping the Holocaust -- parachute back into Nazi Europe in 1944.
The most famous of the unit is Hannah Senesh, whom readers will know as the tragic young woman who heroically attempted to save Jews and left behind Hebrew poetry, including "Eli, Eli." In his new book, Friedman busts myths surrounding the mission's participants and then tells their even more stunning real tales.
In the second half of the program, we draw upon Friedman's personal experiences in Lebanon, which he recounted in a previous book, "Pumpkin Flowers."
We discuss the crossroads Israel again finds itself as it contemplates a large ground maneuver on a road too well-traveled in southern Lebanon.
And so, this week, we ask Matti Friedman, what matters now.
What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/times-will-tell/id1067953235?mt=2">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5Hqgs4Cy5VkdXB51eW2jjd">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMHmmVLVJUNrE198zXKQWna">YouTube</a> or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and edited by Yitzhak Ledee.
Matti Friedman / Troops of the 300th 'Baram' Regional Brigade operate in southern Lebanon, in a handout photo issued by the military on March 18, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)

Day 417 - Northern mayors livid about possible ceasefire

In 1 playlist(s)

The Daily Briefing

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips