Day 746 - Vance flies in to help keep Trump's Gaza plan moving
The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
The Times of Israel
4.5 • 1.1K Ratings
🗓️ 21 October 2025
⏱️ 23 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.
ToI founding editor David Horovitz joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.
With the body of hostage Tal Haimi returned to Israel, Horovitz discusses the resilience of and emotional toll on the remaining 15 hostages' families awaiting their loved ones, and whether Hamas is playing games in the slowed process of returning the bodies.
As US Vice President JD Vance arrives in Israel, Horovitz talks about his presence in Israel alongside US special envoy Steve Witkoff and White House advisor Jared Kushner, all part of the overt American role in seeing the ceasefire carried out to its conclusion.
The Knesset's raucous opening session on Monday reveals deep divisions, says Horovitz, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech aimed to frame the conflict as a victory for Israel, alongside the continued battle over the legitimacy of the Supreme Court.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Hamas hands over body of hostage Tal Haimi, slain defending his kibbutz on Oct. 7
Vance lands in Israel as US said to fear Netanyahu could collapse Gaza ceasefire
Smiles, hugs abound as Witkoff and Kushner meet with released hostages
Ohana snubs Supreme Court president at Knesset’s opening session, sparking turmoil
‘War of Revival’: Cabinet approves Netanyahu’s controversial renaming of Gaza war
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IMAGE: Vice President J.D. Vance, right, and Second Lady Usha Vance arrive at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Oct. 21, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hi, welcome to the Times of Israel's Daily Briefing. |
| 0:06.0 | It is Tuesday, October 21st, and I'm Jessica Steinberg. |
| 0:09.0 | I'm speaking today with Times of Israel Founding Editor David Horowitz. |
| 0:13.0 | Hi, David. |
| 0:14.0 | Hi, Jessica. |
| 0:15.0 | Hi there. |
| 0:16.0 | It is day 746 of the war. |
| 0:19.0 | Hamas handed over the body of hostage Talhaheimi from Kibbutznyer Yitzchak, and today Kibbutz |
| 0:25.9 | Neer-Oz is preparing to bury Ronan Engel, one of their members who was killed on October |
| 0:30.4 | 7th, his body taken captive and recently returned. |
| 0:34.8 | U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance is expected to land in Israel midday. |
| 0:39.5 | We'll talk about his visit, as well as the ongoing visit of U.S. Special Envoy, Steve Wirtkoff. |
| 0:44.8 | And White House advisor, Jared Kushner. We'll also discuss Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's |
| 0:50.6 | Knesset's speech at the opening of the fall session on Monday, and the ongoing situation |
| 0:57.4 | regarding the Knesset and the Supreme Court President. |
| 1:01.3 | Stay with us. |
| 1:07.2 | This episode is brought to you by the Jewish Communal Fund, helping individuals and families make the most of their charitable giving. |
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... |
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