Day 541 - Israel adds pressure on Hamas to advance negotiations

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 reporter Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan
for today's episode.


The Israeli military said Saturday evening it had expanded its
ground offensive in the southern Gaza Strip to expand a buffer
zone along the borders of the Strip, the IDF said. Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu announced this morning that the security
cabinet last night voted to increase pressure on Hamas. This
comes as mediation efforts are stepping up. Berman explains where
negotiations stand now -- and why.


Last week, Gazans took to the streets in protest against the
Hamas regime throughout the Gaza Strip. This morning we learned
that Hamas operatives kidnapped, tortured and executed a
22-year-old Palestinian man, Oday Nasser Al Rabay, who
participated in last week’s wave of protests, according to his
family. This comes as we learn of a June 2023 document from the
Defense Ministry unit that oversees the Gaza Strip which
recommended a potential long-term truce (hudna) with Hamas.
Berman delves into what this document says about Israel's
"conception" of Hamas capabilities.


Hundreds of thousands of anti-government demonstrators rallied in
Istanbul Saturday calling for democracy to be defended after the
arrest of mayor Ekrem Imamoglu which sparked Turkey’s worst
street unrest in over a decade. Berman examines the Israel-Turkey
relationship -- or lack thereof -- since October 7, 2023.


Syria’s new transitional government was sworn in Saturday, nearly
four months after the Assad family was removed from power and as
the new authorities in Damascus work to bring back stability to
the war-torn country. While the 23-member Cabinet is religiously
and ethnically mixed, Israel sees itself as a defender of Syria's
minorities, says Berman.


Please see today's ongoing liveblog for
more updates.


Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple
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podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.


For further reading:


Israel confirms it received new Gaza truce proposal from
mediators, made counteroffer


IDF expands ground op in southern Gaza, pushing further
into Rafah


In disturbing Hamas video, distraught hostage Elkana
Bohbot shouts and begs for release


Gazan man murdered by Hamas after joining protests
against terror group, family says


Report: A June 2023 Defense Ministry document proposed
near-sovereignty for Hamas in Gaza


Hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, gather at Istanbul
rally to protest against Erdogan


Syria swears in new transitional government four months
after ousting Assad


IMAGE: Palestinians buy clothes in a shop next to a
destroyed apartment building in preparation for Eid al-Fitr
celebrations at Al-Rimal neighborhood in the center of Gaza City,
March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)


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