Day 507 - Tanks in the West Bank and IAF buzzes Nasrallah funeral

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 Daily Briefing.


The White House says that it supports Israel’s decision to delay
releasing 600 Palestinian prisoners, citing the “barbaric
treatment” of Israeli hostages by Hamas. At the same time, we’re
hearing for the first time from US President Donald Trump’s
Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff that he will come to the region this
week to try and negotiate an extension of the first phase of the
ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas,
which is supposed to conclude at the end of the week with the
return of four additional bodies of hostages. Berman updates us
on the current status of the talks.


Yesterday, Israeli tanks deployed to the West Bank for the first
time in over 20 years and Defense Minister Israel Katz said he
had instructed the IDF to stay for at least the next year in West
Bank refugee camps that have been cleared of terror operatives
and civilians, and not allow some 40,000 displaced
Palestinians to return. Does the IDF have the manpower for
such an operation?


Tens of thousands of black-clad mourners vowed support for the
Hezbollah terror group Sunday at the Beirut funeral of slain
leader Hassan Nasrallah, after the group was dealt major blows in
its last round of hostilities with Israel. As the funeral began
at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Lebanon’s biggest
sports arena, Israeli warplanes flew at a low altitude over
Beirut. What was Israel's message with this fly over?


Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a “warm conversation” last
night with Friedrich Merz, the presumptive German chancellor
after his CDU/CSU came first in the German elections yesterday.
But the standout saga from these elections is the surge in
support for far-right anti-immigration party AfD, which took a
historic second place among the electorate. Berman weighs in.


On the eve of the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of
Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has faced fierce criticism
from the new US administration, leading Zelensky to offer to quit
his post if it would mean that Ukraine could join NATO. Publicity
stunt or authentic plea?


Please see today's ongoing live blog 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 Ben Wallick.


For further reading:


In first, Witkoff says US looking to extend hostage
deal’s current phase


In visit to Tulkarem, Netanyahu calls to expand West Bank
counterterror operation


Holding up photo of Bibas family, PM says Israel must
‘remember what we’re fighting for’


IDF deploys tanks in West Bank for first time since 2002,
sending 3 to Jenin as it expands op


Tens of thousands shout ‘Death to Israel’ at Nasrallah
funeral, as Israeli jets fly overhead


Germany’s rising far-right AfD is split over Israel. Jews
call party ‘a danger’ either way


Responding to Trump, Zelensky says he’d resign if it
meant Ukraine could join NATO


IMAGE: An Israeli tank drives towards the Jenin
camp in the West Bank, February 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Majdi
Mohammed)


 


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