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.

It is day 243 of the war with Hamas. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and political reporter Sam Sokol join host Jessica Steinberg for today’s episode.

Berman discusses the diplomatic discussions in the search for a hostage agreement, as the Biden administration pushes for a first phase of a deal and waits for signs of acceptance from Hamas via Qatar.

He notes that Israel has agreed to move forward on the deal, and that the government is doing more than he expected to get the hostages out. That said, Israel is insisting on toppling Hamas militarily, getting all hostages out and ensuring that Gaza will not be a future platform for terrorist attacks.

Berman also discusses Netanyahu’s conversation with French prime minister Emmanuel Macron who reemphasized French support for Israel and the hostages.

Sokol looks at the reactions of far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who have threatened to bring down the government if Netanyahu signs what they consider a reckless deal.

He also notes that the ultra-Orthodox are in favor of the deal. The Haredi parties generally don’t weigh in on security issues, given that their communities don’t serve in the army.

Finally, Sokol offers a quick preview of today’s Jerusalem Day flag march into the Old City, an often controversial event particularly with the presence of Ben Gvir at the march.

For more updates, please check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.

PM says Biden version of deal ‘incomplete’; US: It accurately reflects Israeli offer

Macron tells Netanyahu Gaza war must end, is mum on freeing hostages as condition

Biden’s ‘Israeli’ proposal for a hostage deal leaves key questions unanswered

Far-right ministers accuse Netanyahu of ‘whitewashing’ hostage deal, hiding details

THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas’s onslaught on Israel

THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown

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