Day 518 - Witkoff encourages Hamas to release US citizen as 'goodwill'

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 Amanda
Borschel-Dan for today's Daily Briefing, which is
followed by a full episode of The Times of Israel's newest
podcast series, Friday Focus with Lazar Berman.


Magid focuses on some of the major developments in the hostage
release-ceasefire negotiations, including Wednesday's revelation
that the US has been conducting direct talks with Hamas to get
hostages out. The US designated Hamas as a terrorist organization
in 1997. Does speaking directly with Hamas contravene some kind
of protocol for dealing with terrorist entities?


US envoy to the Mideast Steve Witkoff is pressing Hamas for an
act of "goodwill" to release the final living US-Israeli hostage
Edan Alexander. How has Israel reacted to this?


We learn how Magid believes the new direct negotiations with
Hamas will reshape the contours of the mediated ceasefire deal
and whether they will help them transition into phase two.


Please see today's ongoing liveblog for
more updates.


For further reading:


Trump defends direct US-Hamas talks as Israel seethes,
attempts to sabotage them


US talks with Hamas said to hit snag after media leak; PM
unhappy they’re taking place


Analysts: Direct US-Hamas talks reflect ‘dysfunction’ in
ceasefire negotiations


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.


IMAGE: President Donald Trump poses for photos with family
members of Edan Alexander, a hostage held by Hamas, after
visiting the gravesite of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson,
October 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)


 


See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.