Day 843 - IDF forensics search Gaza cemetery for final hostage
The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
The Times of Israel
4.5 • 1.1K Ratings
🗓️ 26 January 2026
⏱️ 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.
Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
The IDF confirmed yesterday it is searching for the remains of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage held in the Gaza Strip, on the Israeli side of the ceasefire line in the enclave’s north in a cemetery. According to the PMO, The IDF is currently conducting a focused operation to exhaust all of the intelligence and upon completion of this operation -- and in accordance with what has been agreed upon with the US -- Israel will open the Rafah Crossing. Fabian fills us in on the recovery efforts, how the IDF plans to secure the crossing into Egypt and what is happening on the ground in Gaza.
The IDF said Monday that its wave of airstrikes last night against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon hit weapon depots and other infrastructure. We speak about the recent wave of airstrikes and how deeply inside Lebanon the IAF is targeting. We then discuss whether a much weakened Hezbollah would consider joining ranks with Iran in any escalation of hostilities.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
IDF confirms searching for body of Ran Gvili at cemetery in northern Gaza Strip
Israel says Rafah Crossing to reopen when IDF finishes search for last hostage body
IDF reservist injured in Hamas attack in southern Gaza succumbs to wounds
IDF: Wave of strikes targets Hezbollah operatives, infrastructure across Lebanon
Northern Command chief: IDF ready on all fronts if US attack on Iran sparks retaliation
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves and Ari Schlacht.
IMAGE: A photo of slain hostage Ran Gvili, whose remains are being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, is displayed during a rally calling for the return of the deceased hostages held in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on November 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean, File)
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Welcome to the Times of Israel's daily briefing. Today is Monday, January 26th, Day 843 of the war. |
| 0:11.8 | I'm Amanda Borchelle Dan here with our military correspondent, Emmanuel Fabian. |
| 0:16.0 | Mani, thanks so much for joining me today. Hi, Amanda. Good morning. |
| 0:19.2 | Yesterday, the IDF confirmed that it is |
| 0:22.8 | searching for the remains of the last deceased hostage in Gaza, Ranjvili. We'll hear where the |
| 0:29.8 | IDF is searching and what kind of team is helping in this search. Many will also talk to us |
| 0:36.1 | about the idea of the opening of the Rafakh |
| 0:38.7 | crossing and what the IDF is prepared to do. We'll also hear about strikes on |
| 0:43.7 | Hezbollah in the North and IDF preparedness for any kind of strike from Iran. All of this |
| 0:50.4 | and more when we're back. |
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