Day 488 - Trump thrills Netanyahu, calls Gaza a hellhole

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
Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.


After US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu met in the White House on Tuesday, Trump repeated his
statements to the press about relocating all Gazans, possibly
placing US troops in Gaza and annexing the West Bank.


Magid reviews the highlights of Trump's comments and the press
conference that followed, as well as reactions from Hamas and the
Palestinian Authority, condemning Trump's plan.


Magid discusses Trump's ideas regarding a peace process with
Saudi Arabia and looks at the US President's statements regarding
the annexation of the West Bank as a pressure tactic and one that
naturally emboldens Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners.


In Magid's exit interview with Israel's Ambassador to the US,
Mike Herzog, who served two different Israeli governments, the
diplomat shares his perspectives on US-Israel relations,
criticizing the Biden administration for its delays in shipping
armaments, but also warning against relying solely on Republican
support for Israel.


Please see today's ongoing live blog 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:


Trump: US will ‘take over’ Gaza, level it and create
‘Riviera of the Middle East’


Countering Trump, Saudi Arabia says no Israel
normalization without Palestinian state


Hosting PM, Trump urges permanent relocation of all
Gazans: ‘That place has been hell’


After finishing DC tour, an Israeli ambassador known for
his discretion is ready to talk


IMAGE: US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu holding a joint press conference at the White House in
Washington D.C., February 4, 2025. (Photo by Liri Agami/Flash90)


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