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 Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

As negotiations falter, again, between Iran and the US, and the Gulf States express wariness about renewing war, Magid discusses the two sides' current positions on terms to permanently end the war. Among other demands, Iran is seeking guarantees that hostilities will not resume and, in return, would reopen the Strait of Hormuz. It also continues to seek deferring negotiations over its rogue nuclear program — a stance President Donald Trump has thus far rejected.

In the meantime, Magid reports, the Board of Peace is getting nowhere regarding Hamas's disarmament. The terror group feels emboldened by Iran's ability to withstand US demands, says Magid, and is tightening its grip in the Gaza Strip.

Initial results from last weekend's elections for Fatah’s Central Committee show that PA President Mahmoud Abbas was elected to the panel, reports Magid, as well as his son, millionaire Yasser Abbas. Supporters of exiled prominent Palestinian Mohammed Dahlan were not permitted to participate in the elections, throwing the entire process into question.

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

For further reading:

Trump says US attack on Iran called off after Gulf assurances that deal now possible

US-Iran talks stalled after Tehran tried skirting up-front nuke concessions — officials

US thought Iran war would hasten Gaza’s demilitarization. Instead, Hamas is emboldened

Board of Peace envoy: Hamas tightening its grip on Gaza, taxing those with nothing left

US mulls asking Israel to provide PA tax funds for Trump’s Gaza plan — sources

Early results in Fatah leadership vote show Abbas’s son, intelligence chief elected

Backers of Abbas rival excluded from Fatah confab, despite Egypt’s push for inclusivity

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: US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's Daily Briefing (ToI)

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/jessica-steinberg/">host Jessica Steinberg</a> for today's episode.
As negotiations falter, again, between Iran and the US, and the Gulf States express wariness about renewing war, Magid discusses the two sides' current positions on terms to permanently end the war. Among other demands, Iran is seeking guarantees that hostilities will not resume and, in return, would reopen the Strait of Hormuz. It also continues to seek deferring negotiations over its rogue nuclear program &mdash; a stance President Donald Trump has thus far rejected.
In the meantime, Magid reports, the Board of Peace is getting nowhere regarding Hamas's disarmament. The terror group feels emboldened by Iran's ability to withstand US demands, says Magid, and is tightening its grip in the Gaza Strip.
Initial results from last weekend's elections for Fatah&rsquo;s Central Committee show that PA President Mahmoud Abbas was elected to the panel, reports Magid, as well as his son, millionaire Yasser Abbas. Supporters of exiled prominent Palestinian Mohammed Dahlan were not permitted to participate in the elections, throwing the entire process into question.
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-may-19-2026/">Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.</a>
For further reading:
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-says-it-responded-to-excessive-us-proposal-after-trump-warns-clock-ticking/">Trump says US attack on Iran called off after Gulf assurances that deal now possible</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-iran-talks-stalled-after-tehran-tried-skirting-up-front-nuke-concessions-officials/">US-Iran talks stalled after Tehran tried skirting up-front nuke concessions &mdash; officials</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-thought-iran-war-would-hasten-gazas-demilitarization-instead-hamas-is-emboldened/">US thought Iran war would hasten Gaza&rsquo;s demilitarization. Instead, Hamas is emboldened</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/board-of-peace-envoy-hamas-tightening-its-grip-on-gaza-taxing-those-with-nothing-left/">Board of Peace envoy: Hamas tightening its grip on Gaza, taxing those with nothing left</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-mulling-asking-israel-to-provide-pa-tax-funds-for-trumps-gaza-plan-sources/">US mulls asking Israel to provide PA tax funds for Trump&rsquo;s Gaza plan &mdash; sources</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/early-results-in-fatah-leadership-vote-show-abbass-son-intelligence-chief-elected/">Early results in Fatah leadership vote show Abbas&rsquo;s son, intelligence chief elected</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/backers-of-abbas-rival-excluded-from-fatah-confab-despite-egypts-push-for-inclusivity/">Backers of Abbas rival excluded from Fatah confab, despite Egypt&rsquo;s push for inclusivity</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: US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's Daily Briefing (ToI)

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.