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.

US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today’s episode.

Yesterday, as the fragile ceasefire began, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari clarified the IDF’s role in its implementation and said any Hezbollah violation of the ceasefire agreement “will be answered with fire.” At the same time, many in Israel wonder why a permanent buffer zone wasn’t included in the deal, something US envoy Amos Hochstein called a “fantasy.” Magid tells us more.

A US official confirmed to Magid yesterday that the Biden administration is advancing a $680 million weapon package to Israel. Could the package be tied to the claim by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US has been delaying weapon shipments to Israel?

US President Joe Biden is launching a renewed drive for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal now that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a truce in Lebanon, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Wednesday, saying, “President Biden intends to begin that work today by having his envoys engage with Turkey, Qatar, Egypt and other actors in the region.” We discuss the new inclusion of Turkey in the list of potential negotiators.

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

US envoy dismisses ‘fantasy’ of deal that would include IDF buffer zone in Lebanon

IDF warns Lebanon truce violations ‘will be answered with fire’; troops shoot at suspects

US confirms $680m arms sale to Israel, but says it was in works pre-Lebanon deal

Arab mediators: Netanyahu stalling, wrongly thinks Trump will deliver better Gaza deal

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