Day 501 - IDF withdraws to a possible 'buffer zone' on Lebanon border

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.


Military reporter Emanuel
Fabian joins host Amanda
Borschel-Dan for today's episode.


Today as the extended deadline for IDF withdrawal from Lebanon
under the US-brokered ceasefire expires, Defense Minister Israel
Katz said, “Starting today, the IDF will remain in a buffer zone
in Lebanon in five strategic outposts and will continue to
enforce forcefully and without compromise against any violation
by Hezbollah.” Fabian explains why these five points and whether
there is now a "buffer zone" on the border.


Israel is expecting to receive the bodies of four hostages from
Hamas on Thursday under the provisions of the first stage of an
ongoing ceasefire deal with the Palestinian terror group. We hear
how the IDF is preparing to receive the bodies and how the
families will eventually be informed of their identities.


Even as Egypt is working towards a proposal for rebuilding Gaza,
Defense Minister Katz has called for a new directorate in the
Defense Ministry tasked with enabling Palestinians to
“voluntarily” leave the Gaza Strip, as per US President Donald
Trump’s stated plans. Fabian weighs in.


The Israel Defense Forces said it carried out a pair of drone
strikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday — one targeting a group of
gunmen who were approaching Israeli forces in one area and the
other as a warning when a car drove near soldiers in another. We
hear how all is not calm on the ground in Gaza.


The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it had completed
its investigations into its failures during the lead-up to the
Hamas terror group’s October 7, 2023, onslaught, and would begin
to present its findings next Tuesday. We learn what the
investigations should -- or should not -- unveil.


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 the Pod-Waves.


For further reading:


Lebanese army says it’s deploying in southern border
villages as IDF withdraws


IDF to remain in five strategic posts in south Lebanon
after Tuesday withdrawal


Israel says it is preparing for Hamas to return bodies of
four hostages on Thursday


Egypt developing plan to rebuild Gaza as counter to
Trump’s call to depopulate area


Katz announces new panel tasked with advancing
‘voluntary’ emigration of Gazans


Hamas said to agree to cede Gaza governance to PA;
Netanyahu: ‘Not going to happen’


IDF drone strike hits gunmen in southern Gaza; three
Hamas cops reportedly killed


IDF completes all October 7 probes, will start presenting
them next week


IMAGE: A map showing the locations of five IDF posts in southern
Lebanon that troops will remain deployed to after a February 18,
2025, deadline. (Times of Israel; OpenStreetMap)


See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.