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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Jessica Steinberg for today’s episode.

As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spent Thursday on Capitol Hill, Berman reports from the Capitol, where much of the focus is still on US President Donald Trump’s proposal to offer Gazans to relocate from the war-torn region.

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Berman says the atmosphere toward Netanyahu is friendly and the prime minister’s entourage is “almost giddy” with the sense of friendship and support from the Trump administration, following the criticism and tension that existed with members of the Biden administration.

While the date to restart negotiations over the second phase of the ceasefire with Hamas has come and gone, Berman says that Israel is now trying to extend the current first stage of the deal as much as possible to get more hostages out during this stage. He adds that Israel currently has the upper hand given Trump’s support, and Hamas appears to be carefully maneuvering itself, in its attempt not to be seen as the one making the deal fail.

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.

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