Day 446 - Qatar's mediators ask Israel to be more flexible

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 on today's episode.


Magid discusses the ongoing hostage negotiations, commenting that
if a deal happens, it will probably take place closer to the
January 20 inauguration date for President-elect Donald Trump.
Magid says that Qatari negotiators are asking the Israeli
government to be more flexible in their current mandate, as Hamas
seeks assurances that Israel won't return to fighting after the
discussed first phase.


Magid reviews some threatening comments made during a podcast
interview by Mike Waltz, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for
national security advisor. Waltz spoke about punishments and
reprisals for those who take US hostages, with an emphasis placed
by both Trump and Waltz in recent comments on the American
hostages who are held in Gaza.


Magid speaks about an unlikely statement from US Ambassador to
Israel Jack Lew, who asserted that a new report alleging famine
in north Gaza was incorrect, remarking that the data used was
outdated. The unexpected statement was possibly a final shot by
Lew as an outgoing ambassador, says Magid.


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


Discussed articles include:


Hostage negotiators returning to Israel for ‘internal
deliberations,’ says PM’s office


Trump national security pick threatens US hostage-takers
with ‘bullet in forehead’


US calls new report asserting famine in north Gaza
‘outdated and inaccurate’


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


IMAGE: Demonstrators dressed as U.S. President-elect Donald
Trump, right, and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
left, take part in a performance during a protest against the
government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza
Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday,
Dec. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)


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