Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Political writer Tal Schneider and military correspondent Mannie Fabian join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Schneider talks about former military chief Gadi Eisenkot joining the center-right Hamahane Hamamlachti and what Eisenkot, a newbie politician, will bring to the political scene.

Fabian looks at the recent changes in the Gazan economy, with exports up from Gaza to Israel, as well asincreased crossings at the border, with more people allowed to go in and out of Gaza for work, which creates higher salaries for some Gazans.

Schneider discusses her feature about Jewish-American businessman Bruce Gurfein, who has lived in Dubai for 25 years, and is looking at business-to-business relationships to strengthen relations.

Steinberg adds a word about Svika Pick, the pillar of Israeli pop who died Sunday at 72 after years of ill health. 

Discussed articles include:

Eisenkot marches into politics with much fanfare, little immediate effect on polls

IDF official says Gaza exports have soared, as Israel seeks to incentivize calm

Making inroads: An unlikely 38-hour drive from Dubai to Jerusalem, via Riyadh

Iconic Israeli singer-songwriter Svika Pick dies at 72

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

IMAGE: The leaders of the new National Unity party at the party launch on Sunday night, August 14, 2022, in Kfar Maccabiah, from left to right: Gadi Eisenkot, Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar. (Elad Malka)