Day 472 - Joy, fear as hostages freed, Palestinian prisoners released
The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
The Times of Israel
4.4 • 864 Ratings
🗓️ 20 January 2025
⏱️ 26 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
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.
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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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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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Welcome to the Times of Israel's daily briefing. |
| 0:11.1 | Today is Monday, January 20th, day 472 of the war. |
| 0:16.7 | Amanda Borsel, Dan, here with our military reporter Emmanuel Fabian and political reporter Tal Schneider. |
| 0:21.8 | Thank you both for joining me today. |
| 0:24.1 | Hi, Amanda. |
| 0:24.5 | Thank you, Amanda. |
| 0:25.2 | Good morning. |
| 0:26.1 | Good morning. |
| 0:27.0 | Yesterday evening, three Hamas hostages were returned to Israeli soil as part of the hostage-release |
| 0:34.1 | agreement that went into effect at 1115 yesterday morning. |
| 0:40.0 | We will hear how Romigonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher were greeted in Israel |
| 0:46.3 | and what we know currently of their status. |
| 0:49.4 | Many will also update us on the dozens of Palestinian prisoners who were let out of Israeli jails and tell us |
| 0:55.7 | what the next steps are in this fraught deal. Tell us here and we'll learn about the political |
| 1:01.7 | fallout of the deal, including the newly vacant ministerial posts in the government. |
| 1:07.8 | We'll also hear about what could be Jewish or Israeli from the presidential |
| 1:12.2 | inauguration today in Washington, D.C. All this and much, much more when we're back. |
| 1:21.7 | Israel's IDF reservists are the heart of the nation's strength and security. Leaving behind their homes, families, |
| 1:30.1 | and livelihoods, they answer the call to defend their country without hesitation. But reserve duty |
| 1:36.7 | often comes with overwhelming financial and emotional challenges. That's where Ogen steps in. |
| 1:47.9 | Through its Uval Fund, Ogen provides interest-free loans and essential support programs to help reservists and their families navigate these |
| 1:53.3 | difficulties with dignity. Right now, during one of Israel's most critical times, we have the |
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