Day 481 - Trump's new deal - moving Gazans out of Gaza?
The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
The Times of Israel
4.5 • 1.1K Ratings
🗓️ 29 January 2025
⏱️ 24 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.
US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
Magid takes a look at President Donald Trump's first week in office, including Trump's controversial comments regarding Gazans and where they could be moved, even temporarily during the reconstruction of parts of Gaza, and how Egypt and Jordan view the influx of Palestinians as a security threat.
He also discusses Steve Witkoff's role in hostage negotiations and his seemingly personal connection to the families of released hostages, as Witkoff touches down in Israel for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Saudi Arabia.
Magid shares insights from his interview with Barbara Leaf, a top Middle East diplomat from the Biden administration as they explored the ongoing challenges in Gaza post-war. Leaf expressed regret over the lack of a post-war plan for Gaza, and commented that recent developments in Syria and Lebanon could positively impact regional stability.
Finally, Magid looks at the Trump administration's claims about foreign aid spending during the Biden years, including a humorous controversy regarding US foreign aid for supposed condom distribution in Gaza.
This conversation can also be viewed here:
For news updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.
Discussed articles include:
Trump says ‘would be nice’ to solve Iranian nuclear crisis without Israeli strikes
Trump doubles down on proposal to move Gazans; insists Egypt and Jordan will agree
‘We averted much worse’: Biden’s top Mideast diplomat looks back on tumultuous term
Trump invites Netanyahu to visit White House; PM’s office says meeting set for Feb. 4
White House: Biden allotted $50m for Gaza condoms; ex-official denies ‘feverish dream’
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IMAGE: At the entrance to a Tel Aviv conference entitled 'Opportunities for Israel under Trump,' in Tel Aviv. January 28, 2025. (Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hi, welcome to the Times of Israel's Daily Briefing. It is Wednesday, January 29th, and I'm Jessica Steinberg. I'm speaking today with U.S. Bureau Chief Jacob Maggi. Hi, Jacob. Good morning. Hi, Jessica. Good to be with you. |
| 0:20.1 | Good to have you here. It is day 482 of the war. |
| 0:24.9 | U.S. envoy Steve Whitkoff landed in Israel for talks after his trip to Saudi Arabia, |
| 0:30.5 | and President Donald Trump invites Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit the White House. |
| 0:36.1 | That visit appears to be set for February 4th. |
| 0:39.1 | We'll talk about Trump's first week in office, including the many decisions made that could affect the |
| 0:44.4 | Middle East and Israel. And so I'm looking back at the Biden administration as they talk about |
| 0:50.5 | the last months of its term. All of that after a quick break. |
| 0:59.7 | During this period of upheaval in Israel, across the Middle East, and in U.S.-Israel relations, |
| 1:05.2 | it's always tough to see through the fog of war and get clarity about what's really happening |
| 1:09.8 | and what's really important |
| 1:11.3 | on the ground. These days too can be really difficult to talk about, let alone envision a better |
| 1:18.1 | way forward and a better future for everyone living in the region. Join me, Tel Avivate-based |
| 1:23.9 | journalist and Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor Neri Zilber, as I host the very |
| 1:28.7 | top analysts, journalists, policymakers, and other experts for in-depth conversations to keep |
| 1:34.6 | you informed on the most critical issues challenging Israel's future as secure, Jewish, and |
| 1:40.8 | democratic. Find Israel Policy Pod, wherever you get your podcasts, |
| 1:45.5 | and let's first talk about Trump's first week in office. |
| 2:11.0 | He was getting a lot done. |
| 2:13.5 | First, we have Steve Whitkoff, who now has landed, tell us, and of course, there's been many comments by the hostage families about President Trump, about Steve Whitkoff, thanking them for everything that they did for those released hostages. Tell us what you're hearing and reporting about Steve Whitkoff in this first week alone. I would say he was probably a favorite |
| 2:36.4 | among the hostage families given the work he was able to do to get this deal across the finish line, |
| 2:42.1 | and he's looking to take that momentum with him into trying to get past the first phase and |
... |
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