Day 437 - How is the ceasefire holding? ToI reports from Lebanon

The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

The Times of Israel

News

4.4 • 864 Ratings

🗓️ 16 December 2024

⏱️ 23 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

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.

Diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Yesterday, Berman visited Lebanon, crossing through Fatima Gate with 91st Division commander Brig. Gen. Shai Klepper to examine what Lebanon’s border villages look like after two months of fighting, and how the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel is holding up. We hear his most immediate impression and learn what Druze IDF officers told him.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he discussed with US President-elect Donald Trump ongoing efforts to bring back the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, as Israeli officials indicated that a deal could be reached in less than two weeks despite sticking points in negotiations. On Monday, mediators cited by Lebanese outlet al-Akhbar reported that there are unprecedented levels of readiness for a hostage deal in Gaza from both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas. Berman fills us in.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced on Sunday that Israel will be shutting its embassy in Ireland, citing the “extreme anti-Israel policy of the Irish government.” Berman dives into the problematic Ireland-Israel relationship and what this step signifies.

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

Discussed articles include:

Heavy Israeli airstrikes reported on Syrian military sites in coastal Tartus region

As northern Israel comes back to life, Hezbollah strongholds over the border lie in ruins

PM discusses hostages with Trump as Israeli officials say deal could be clinched in days

Israel to close its embassy in Dublin due to Ireland’s ‘extreme anti-Israel policy’

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.

IMAGE: Troops of the IDF's 91st Division operate in southern Lebanon, in a handout photo issued on December 15, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to the Times of Israel's daily briefing.
0:09.3	Today is Monday, December 16th, day 437 of the war.
0:14.6	Amanda Borchelle, Dan here with our diplomatic reporter, Laser Barman.
0:17.8	Hi, Laser. Thanks for joining me.
0:19.5	Hi, Amanda. Good morning.
0:20.6	Good morning. Laser was inside southern Lebanon yesterday with IDF troops to see and hear for himself how the ceasefire is holding up.
0:30.9	What he reports is really fascinating. I really recommend everyone read the piece and will hear more.
0:37.6	There is tentative optimism that a hostage deal may be reached in the next two weeks.
0:43.2	So what is the change?
0:45.4	And Israel has shuddered its embassy in Ireland.
0:48.7	So what was the straw that broke the camel's back?
0:51.7	All this and much, much more when we're back.
0:54.4	The Sarajeck law firm specializes in collecting money owed to our clients and proudly
1:05.7	advertisers in the times of Israel. Our passion, our love, and our prayers are with the people of Israel.
1:13.9	We are grateful to the heroes of the IDF, and we know that they are not just protecting
1:18.6	the land of Israel, but ensuring the Jewish people are safe throughout the world.
1:24.2	In recognition of that, when Times of Israel listeners use our services, a portion of our firm's profits will go to the Givati Brigade's Purple Fox Foundation for fallen and wounded soldiers and their families.
1:37.3	You can find us at sarahechlawfirm.com.
1:42.2	That's S-A-R-A-C-H-E-K-Lawfirm.com.
2:15.0	The U.S. Embassy in Damascus is advising Americans to leave Syria saying the security situation there continues to be volatile and unpredictable with armed conflict and terrorism throughout the country.
2:19.0	The embassy, which has been closed since 2012, said the U.S.
2:25.1	government is unable to provide any routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens.
	...

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