Day 466 - Security concerns as Israelis hold their breath for deal

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.


This morning, a “final round” of Gaza truce talks was due to
start in Qatar. According to AFP, today’s meetings “are aimed at
finalizing the remaining details of the deal,” with the heads of
Israel’s intelligence agencies, the Middle East envoys for the
incoming and outgoing US administrations, and Qatar’s prime
minister present. Mediators are to meet separately with Hamas
officials, the source says. Fabian explains what he knows so far
about security arrangements that may be put in place in Gaza in
the event of a ceasefire.


Five Israel Defense Forces soldiers were killed and 10 were
wounded in an explosion in northern Gaza on Monday, the military
said, raising Israel’s toll in over 15 months of fighting in the
Strip to 407. The slain troops were all serving with the Nahal
Brigade’s Reconnaissance Unit. On Saturday, four soldiers were
killed and six were wounded during fighting, also in the northern
Gaza Strip. We hear initial findings about these two terrible
incidents.


The IDF said Monday it had struck several Hezbollah sites in
Lebanon overnight, saying the targets violated the terms of the
ceasefire agreement. It said it did so after the international
ceasefire monitoring mechanism failed to address them, despite
being advised on the matter. This is not the first time -- and
it's likely not the last, says Fabian.


Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched ballistic missiles
within hours of each other on Monday evening and early Tuesday
morning, triggering sirens that sent hundreds of thousands of
Israelis rushing into shelters. This comes after a Friday night
retaliatory attack by the Israeli Air Force against Houthi
targets in Yemen. Fabian shares why the Houthis may not yet be
deterred.


IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Amir Baram on Friday notified
his commander, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, that he
would leave his role as planned at the end of February. Is it
because he wants Halevi's job instead?


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


Discussed articles include:


Israeli officials: Deal will see 33 hostages freed in 1st
stage, most of them alive


Five soldiers killed, 10 wounded in explosion in northern
Gaza, IDF says


IDF announces 4 soldiers killed, 6 wounded during
fighting in northern Gaza


IDF says it hit Hezbollah sites after ceasefire monitors
failed to address threats


For second time in hours, Houthi missile at Israel
triggers cross-country sirens


Couple, out for walk after overnight sirens, find chunk
of Houthi missile on their roof


20 Israeli jets attack two ports and a power plant used
by Houthis in Yemen


IDF deputy chief of staff requests to step down,
indicates he hopes to succeed Halevi


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


IMAGE: Pictures in Jerusalem of Israelis held hostage by Hamas
terrorists in Gaza, January 13, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)


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