Day 472 - Joy, fear as hostages freed, Palestinian prisoners released

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 and
political reporter Tal Schneider join host
Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.


Yesterday evening, three Hamas hostages were returned to Israeli
soil as part of the hostage release-ceasefire agreement that went
into effect at 11:15 yesterday morning. We learn how Romi Gonen,
24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, were released,
what we know currently of their conditions and how they were
received in Israel.


Israel released 90 Palestinian security prisoners early Monday
morning, hours after Hamas released the three civilian hostages
on the first day of a ceasefire with the terror group in the Gaza
Strip. These inmates included terror convicts but reportedly none
convicted of murder. Where were they taken and how were they
greeted?


We hear a quick update on the status of the truce that is still
holding in southern Lebanon -- and that is meant to expire on
Sunday.


Former national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s far-right
Otzma Yehudit party quit the coalition on Sunday morning,
following through on its threat to exit if the government agreed
to a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Schneider
discusses the new alignment of power in the coalition and goes
through several potential scenarios.


At the inauguration of US President Donald Trump in Washington,
DC, today, part of the festivities will be led by Yeshiva
University head Rabbi Ari Berman, who will deliver a benediction.
We hear what else Israeli or Jewish may be in store.


For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s
ongoing live blog.


Discussed articles include:


Hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher
return to Israel after 471 days


Beaming, laughing, weeping, 3 freed hostages finally
reunite with loved ones


Israel frees 90 Palestinian security prisoners, who are
welcomed with Hamas flags


Otzma Yehudit exits coalition over Gaza deal, blasting it
as ‘victory for terrorism’


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podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.


IMAGE: Relatives and friends of people killed and abducted by
Hamas and taken into Gaza, react to the news of the hostages'
release, as they gather in Tel Aviv, Israel on January 19, 2025.
(AP Photo/Oded Balilty)


 


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