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.

Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today’s episode.

The bodies of the four slain hostages crossed the border from the Gaza Strip back into Israel this morning, 503 days after they were abducted alive by Hamas-led terrorists. The four were named by their terrorist captors as Shiri Bibas, Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz, all kidnapped from their homes in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023.

More from The Daily Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear about two ceremonies conducted this morning: one, a cynically staged Hamas propaganda fest in Gaza; the other held by the IDF in the Gaza Strip led by IDF Chief Rabbi Brig. Gen. Eyal Karim.

We learn what the Bibas family and Oded Lifshitz represent to Israeli society and how their families are reacting to their apparent deaths.

We also preview Saturday’s planned release of six living male hostages, including how they were likely chosen, and discuss the alleged Hamas offer to release all hostages in one go in a potential phase two of the negotiated ceasefire-hostage release deal.

Please see today’s ongoing live blog for more updates.

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.

The worst news of all

Bodies believed to be of 4 slain hostages brought to Israel, 503 days after they were taken alive

Bibas and Lifshitz hostage families cling to hope, say they’ll await final identification of bodies

These are the six living hostages set to be released Saturday

Check out yesterday’s Daily Briefing episode here: