Day 542 - IDF tells Gazans to leave Rafah, Trump threatens Iran

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.


Times of Israel founding editor David Horovitz
and reporter Sue Surkes join host
Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.


As the IDF warns Gazans to leave Rafah in southern Gaza, saying
the military is returning to fight to eliminate terrorist
capabilities as part of its military pressure to bring about a
hostage deal, Horovitz reviews the situation in the Gaza Strip.
He discusses the ongoing divide in Israeli society over how to
bring the remaining hostages home, whether through military
pressure or negotiations.


Horovitz also looks at the CBS "60 Minutes" interview with
released hostages, including freed captive Yarden Bibas, who
pointedly called for US President Donald Trump to help bring
about a return to negotiations.


As Trump threatens Iran with strikes if it doesn't return to
nuclear talks, Horovitz talks about the rise in rhetoric between
the two nations.


Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the hardest-hit collectives on October 7
is working to remember its dead and find solutions for its
future, and Surkes discusses a book written by one of its
residents about the challenges facing the kibbutz that had been
privatized years before the Hamas terror attack. She also
describes a recently installed memorial for those killed on the
kibbutz on October 7.


Please see today's ongoing liveblog for
more updates.


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


For further reading:


IDF tells Gazans to flee entire Rafah area in largest
evacuation since fighting resumed


Yarden Bibas to 60 Minutes: Only Trump can convince
Netanyahu, Hamas to renew ceasefire-hostage deal


Trump threatens ‘there will be bombing’ if Iran fails to
make deal on nukes


‘A murder in every corner’: 60-year resident writes book
on Kfar Aza challenges post-Oct. 7


Kfar Aza Oct. 7 memorial forms unforeseen stop on trail
envisioned by murdered Ofir Libstein


IMAGE: Palestinians attend Eid prayers in Khan Yuni in the
southern Gaza Strip, on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Abed Rahim
Khatib/Flash90)


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